Hybrid insulated concrete form and method of making and using same

ABSTRACT

The invention comprises a product. The product comprises a foam insulating panel having a first primary surface and an opposite second primary surface. A removable concrete form is spaced from the foam insulating panel and a concrete receiving space is defined between the second primary surface of the foam insulating panel and the removable concrete form. A method of using a hybrid insulated concrete form is also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of application Ser. No.13/834,697 filed Mar. 15, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,074,379.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to insulated concrete forms.More particularly, this invention relates to an insulated concrete formthat is stronger than conventional insulated concrete forms so that itcan hold the weight of a full lift of concrete and extend from floor toceiling. The present invention also relates to an insulated concreteform that is easier to assemble and easier to use. The present inventionrelates to a concrete form in which one side of the form providesintegral insulation that remains attached to the wall while the otherside of the form is removed once the concrete hardens. The presentinvention also relates to an insulated concrete form that results instronger concrete cured therein. The present invention also relates toan insulated concrete form that produces a wall that resists or preventswater intrusion. The present invention also relates to methods of usingthe hybrid insulated concrete form of the present invention. The presentinvention also related to a concrete structure that has a longer usefullife than conventional concrete structures. The present inventionfurther relates to a high efficiency building system that reduces energyconsumption. The present invention also relates to a modular structure,such as a home or building that is relatively inexpensive to construct.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Concrete walls, and other concrete structures, traditionally have beenmade by building a form. The forms are usually made from plywood, wood,metal and other structural members. Unhardened (i.e., plastic) concreteis poured into the space defined by opposed spaced form members. Oncethe concrete hardens sufficiently, although not completely, the formsare removed leaving a concrete wall, or other concrete structure orstructural member in place.

Historically concrete has been placed in forms made of plywoodreinforced by different types of framing members. Concrete has highthermal mass and since most concrete buildings are built usingconventional forms, the concrete assumes the ambient temperature.Concrete buildings are exposed to ambient temperatures therefore makingthem as hot or as cold as the environment. Thus, although they have manyadvantages, concrete buildings have relatively poor energy efficiency.

Insulated concrete form systems are known in the prior art and typicallyare made from a plurality of modular form members. In order to assist inkeeping the modular form members properly spaced when concrete is pouredbetween the stacked form members, transverse tie members are used inorder to prevent transverse displacement or rupture of the modular formmembers due to the hydrostatic pressure created by fluid and unhardenedconcrete contained therein. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,497,592; 5,809,725;6,668,503; 6,898,912 and 7,124,547 (the disclosures of which are allincorporated herein by reference) are exemplary of prior art modularinsulated concrete form systems.

Insulated concrete forms reduce heat transmission and provide improvedenergy efficiency to the building in which they are used. However theinsulated concrete forms of the prior art have multiple shortcomings.

Concrete is a relatively heavy material. It weighs approximately 2400lbs per cubic yard. When placed into a vertical form in a plastic state,the pressure at the bottom of a form filled with concrete is measured bymultiplying the height of the wall by 150 lbs per square foot. In otherwords when pouring a 10 feet tall wall, the pressure at the bottom of aform will be 1,500 lbs/ft². In addition, safety codes and variousconcrete regulating bodies demand that commercial forms be built towithstand approximately 2.5 times the static concrete pressure a form isactually intended to hold.

Conventional forms typically use aluminum or some type of plywoodreinforced by a metal framing system. Opposed form members are heldtogether by a plurality of metal ties that provide the form with thedesired pressure rating. Conventional forms are designed to be strong,safe and durable to meet the challenges of any type construction,residential or commercial, low-rise or high-rise, walls, columns, piersor elevated slabs. While insulated concrete forms of the prior artprovide relatively high energy efficiency, they lack the strength towithstand the relatively high fluid concrete pressures experienced byconventional concrete forms. Consequently, they are relegated mostly toresidential construction or low-rise construction and find fewapplications in commercial construction.

In order to achieve relatively high energy efficiency, one can insulateconcrete in a variety of method. One such method uses insulated concreteforms made from foams with relatively high R values. However all typesof foam have relatively low strength and structural properties.Therefore, insulated concrete forms of the prior art are relatively weakand cannot withstand the same high pressures experienced by conventionalforms. Prior art insulated concrete forms have attempted to solve thisproblem by using higher density foams and/or by using a high number ofties between the foam panel members. However, such prior art insulatedconcrete form systems still suffer from several common problems.

First, all insulated concrete forms are made of two opposing foam panelsconnected by a plurality of connecting ties. The concrete is placedbetween the foam panels in a plastic state. Once the concrete hardensthe form stays in place whereby both foam panels are attached to theinside and outside face of the concrete wall, respectively. The tiesanchor each layer of the foam panels into the concrete. In thisconfiguration, the concrete thermal mass is mostly if not completelyencapsulated within the two foam panels. Therefore, the concrete wallhas a foam panel attached to both the inside and outside face. In manycases it is not necessary to insulate both the inside and outside faceof the wall. Since concrete has a high thermal mass, it may be desirablein certain cases that the thermal mass be exposed to the climatecontrolled inside of the building. In same cases, it may be desirablefor the concrete wall to be exposed to the outside while the concreteface facing the inside of the building needs to be insulated. State ofthe art insulated concrete forms are not designed to have any of thefoam panels removed, they are only designed to stay in place. If onlyone side of the concrete requires an insulating foam panel, it would bevery difficult, expensive and time consuming to remove the other foampanel from an insulated concrete form once the concrete has been cured.Conventional concrete forms are designed to be removed once the concretehas achieved a desired strength. However, conventional concrete forms donot provide insulation to the concrete wall, either during concretecuring or after removal.

Second, in the construction of an exterior wall of a building, multipleinsulated concrete form modules are stacked upon and/or placed adjacentto each other in order to construct a concrete form of a desired height,length and configuration. In some insulated concrete form systems, theform spacers/interconnectors are placed in the joints between adjacentconcrete form modules. Such form systems are not strong enough to builda form more than a few feet high. Concrete is then placed in the formand allowed to harden sufficiently before another course of insulatingforms are added on top of the existing forms. Such systems result incold joints between the various concrete layers necessary to form afloor-to-ceiling wall or a multi-story building. Cold joints in aconcrete wall weaken the wall therefore requiring that the wall bethicker and/or use higher strength concrete than would otherwise benecessary with a wall that did not have cold joints. This generallylimits current use of insulated concrete forms to buildings of a singlestory or two in height or to infill wall applications.

Third, the use of multiple form modules to form a wall, or otherbuilding structure, creates numerous joints between adjacent concreteform modules; i.e., between both horizontally adjacent form modules andvertically adjacent form modules. The sum of all these joints makes theprior art insulated concrete forms inherently unstable and concreteblowouts are not uncommon. Since the wall forms are unstable, the use ofadditional forming materials, such as plywood, to stabilize the modularinsulated concrete forms is required before concrete is poured. Theseadditional materials are costly and time consuming to install. Themultiple joints also provide numerous opportunities for water to seepinto and through the concrete wall. Furthermore, some of the prior artwall spacer systems create holes in the insulated concrete forms throughwhich water can seep, either in or out. Thus, the prior art modularinsulated concrete forms do little, or nothing, to prevent waterintrusion in the finished concrete wall.

Fourth, prior art modular insulated concrete form systems are difficultand time consuming to put together, particularly at a constructions siteusing unskilled labor.

Fifth, prior art modular insulated concrete form systems do little, ornothing, to produce a stronger concrete wall.

Sixth, prior art modular insulated concrete form systems do not meet thehigh pressure ratings that conventional concrete forms do.

Seventh, prior art modular insulated concrete form systems are designedto form walls and are not suitable for forming columns or piers.

Eighth, prior art modular insulated concrete form systems do not allowfor forming of structural, load bearing high-rise construction

Ninth, prior art modular insulated concrete form systems only allow forone type of wall cladding to be applied, such as a directly appliedfinish system. To install all other wall claddings, additional systemshave to be installed, sometimes at greater expense than even in theconventional concrete forming systems. Some prior art modular insulatedconcrete form systems do not allow for the use of other types of wallcladding systems.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/753,220 filed Apr. 2, 2010 and Ser.No. 13/247,133 filed Sep. 28, 2011 (the disclosures of which are bothincorporated herein by reference) disclose very effective and efficientinsulated concrete form systems for constructing floor-to-ceilingvertical walls. However, for certain applications or certain buildingdesigns, it may be desirable to have a vertical concrete wall that isinsulated only on one side. Furthermore, in order to make a moreeconomical insulated concrete wall, it may be desirable to insulate theconcrete wall on only one side.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention satisfies the foregoing needs by providing ahybrid insulated concrete form system. In a preferred disclosedembodiment, the present invention provides an insulated concrete wallthat is insulated on only one side.

In one disclosed embodiment, the present invention comprises a product.The product comprises a foam insulating panel having a first primarysurface and an opposite second primary surface. A removable concreteform is spaced from the foam insulating panel. A concrete receivingspace is defined between the foam insulating panel and the removableconcrete form.

In another disclosed embodiment, the present invention comprises aproduct. The product comprises a foam insulating panel having a firstprimary surface and an opposite second primary surface, the firstprimary surface of the foam insulating panel forming the exteriorportion of a wall of a building. The product also comprises a concretestructure attached to and contacting the second surface of the foaminsulating panel, the concrete structure forming the interior portion ofthe wall of the building. The foam insulating panel is adhesivelyattached to the concrete structure by the cement from which the concretestructure is made.

In another disclosed embodiment, the present invention comprises aproduct. The product comprises a foam insulating panel having a firstprimary surface and an opposite second primary surface, the firstprimary surface of the foam insulating panel forming the interiorportion of a wall of a building. The product also comprises a concretestructure attached to and contacting the second surface of the foaminsulating panel, the concrete structure forming the exterior portion ofthe wall of the building. The foam insulating panel is attached to theconcrete structure by the cement from which the concrete structure ismade.

In another disclosed embodiment, the present invention comprises aconcrete form. The concrete form comprises a removable concrete form anda foam insulating panel spaced from the removable concrete form defininga space therebetween. The concrete form also comprises a plurality ofanchor members attached to the foam insulating panel and extending intothe space between the removable concrete form and the foam insulatingpanels such that an end of the anchor members are disposed between thefoam insulating panel and the removable concrete form.

In another disclosed embodiment, the present invention comprises amethod. The method comprises positioning a foam insulating panel in adesired position and positioning a removable concrete form spaced fromthe foam insulating panel to define a concrete receiving spacetherebetween.

In another disclosed embodiment, the present invention comprises amethod. The method comprises positioning a foam insulating panel in adesired position and positioning a removable concrete form spaced fromthe foam insulating panel to define a concrete receiving spacetherebetween. The method also comprises placing concrete in the concretereceiving space and allowing the concrete to at least partially cure.The method further comprises removing the removable concrete form.

In yet another disclosed embodiment, the present invention comprises amethod. The method comprises positioning a foam insulating panel in adesired position, the foam insulating panel having a first primarysurface and an opposite second primary surface. An anchor member havinga first end and an opposite second end is disposed in the foaminsulating panel such that it penetrates the foam insulating panel fromthe first primary surface to the second primary surface and the secondend of the anchor member extends outwardly from the second primarysurface. The method also comprises positioning a removable concrete formspaced from the second primary surface of the foam insulating panel suchthat a first end of the anchor member is disposed between the foaminsulating panel and the removable concrete form.

In a further disclosed embodiment, the present invention comprises aproduct. The product comprises a vertical wall. The vertical concretewall has a foam insulating panel attached to only one primary sidethereof. The foam insulating panel is attached to the vertical concretewall by the cement from which the concrete wall is made.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved concrete forming system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hybrid insulatedconcrete form system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedinsulated concrete structure, especially an insulated vertical concretewall.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a concrete wallthat includes integrally attached insulation on only one side.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an insulatedconcrete form system that is relatively easy to manufacture and/or toassemble.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an insulatedconcrete form system that produces stronger concrete than prior artinsulated concrete form systems, or any other concrete form system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system forconstructing a relatively high energy efficient exterior buildingenvelope.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an insulatedconcrete form system that provides improved temperature stability forthe curing of concrete.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an insulatedconcrete form system that permits the placement of concrete during coldweather, which thereby allows construction projects to proceed ratherthan be shutdown due to inclement weather.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an insulatedconcrete form that has a reinforcing layer on an outer surface of a foaminsulating panel anchored to the concrete so that it provides asubstrate for attaching wall cladding or decorative surfaces, such asceramic tile, stone, thin brick, stucco or the like. Anchors embedded inthe concrete also provide a mechanical anchor system for wall claddings.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an insulatedconcrete form system that can withstand pressures equivalent toconventional concrete form systems.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an insulatedconcrete form that retains the heat generated by the hydration of cementduring the early stage of concrete setting and curing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an integratedanchor/attachment system for relatively easy and inexpensive attachmentof a variety of exterior or interior wall cladding systems.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an insulatedconcrete form system that provides an improved curing environment forconcrete.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an insulatedconcrete form system that provides a panel anchor member to whichelongate panel bracing members can be attached.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an insulatedconcrete form system that provides a panel anchor member to whichexterior or interior wall systems can be attached.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent after a review of the following detaileddescription of the disclosed embodiments and the appended drawing andclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disclosed embodiment of a hybridinsulated concrete form in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cut away side plan view of the hybrid insulatedconcrete form shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of the hybridinsulated concrete form shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial detailed cross-sectional view of the hybridinsulated concrete form shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a partial detailed cross-sectional view of the hybridinsulated concrete form shown in FIG. 4 shown with the strongbacks andwhalers removed.

FIG. 6 is a partial detailed cross-sectional side view of an alternatedisclosed embodiment of the hybrid insulated concrete form shown in FIG.4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional removable concrete formfor use in a disclosed embodiment of a hybrid insulated concrete form inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of theconventional removable concrete form shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of theconventional removable concrete form shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of the hybridinsulated concrete form shown in FIG. 2 shown with the conventionalremovable concrete form, the strongbacks and the whalers removed.

FIG. 11 is a partial detailed cross-sectional side view an alternatedisclosed embodiment of a hybrid insulated concrete form in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a partial detailed cross-sectional side view of the alternatedisclosed embodiment of the hybrid insulated concrete form shown in FIG.11.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternate disclosedembodiment of a hybrid insulated concrete form in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 14 is a partial detailed cross-sectional side view of the hybridinsulated concrete form of FIG. 13 shown with the conventional removableconcrete for, strongbacks and whalers removed.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternate disclosed embodiment of apanel anchor member for use with a disclosed embodiment of a hybridinsulated concrete form of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the panel anchor member shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 17-17 of thepanel anchor member shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 18-18 of thepanel anchor member shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a partial detailed cross-sectional side view of a disclosedembodiment of the hybrid insulated concrete form of the presentinvention shown using the panel anchor member shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of theconventional removable concrete form shown in FIG. 7 showing analternate disclosed embodiment of the face panel.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of theconventional removable concrete form shown in FIG. 7 showing analternate disclosed embodiment of the face panel.

FIG. 22 is a side plan view of a disclosed embodiment of an electricallyheated removable concrete form for use in a disclosed embodiment of ahybrid insulated concrete form in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 23-23 of theelectrically heated removable concrete form shown in FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 24-24 of theelectrically heated removable concrete form shown in FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a disclosed embodiment of a jointreinforcing panel in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a cross-section view taken along the line 26-26 of the jointreinforcing panel shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional top view of the joint reinforcing panelshown in FIG. 25 shown in use in a disclosed embodiment of a hybridinsulated concrete form in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 28-28 of thehybrid insulated concrete form shown in FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional side view of the joint reinforcing panelshown in FIG. 25 shown in use in an alternate disclosed embodiment of ahybrid insulated concrete form in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a disclosed embodiment of a cornerjoint reinforcing panel in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a cross-section view taken along the line 31-31 of the cornerjoint reinforcing panel shown in FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional top view of the corner joint reinforcingpanel shown in FIG. 30 shown in use with an outside corner in adisclosed embodiment of a hybrid insulated concrete form in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional top view of the corner joint reinforcingpanel shown in FIG. 30 shown in use with an inside corner in a disclosedembodiment of a hybrid insulated concrete form in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional top view of the corner joint reinforcingpanel shown in FIG. 30 shown in use with an outside corner in analternate disclosed embodiment of a hybrid insulated concrete form inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional top view of the corner joint reinforcingpanel shown in FIG. 30 shown in use with an inside corner in analternate disclosed embodiment of a hybrid insulated concrete form inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a disclosed embodiment of a brick tiein accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a side plan view of the brick tie shown in FIG. 32 shownattached to a panel anchor member in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a disclosed embodiment of an insulatedconcrete wall in accordance with the present invention showing use ofthe brick tie shown in FIG. 36.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a disclosed embodiment of an insulatedconcrete wall in accordance with the present invention showing use of adisclosed embodiment of a wall cladding system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/753,220 filed Apr. 4, 2010; Ser. No.13/247,113 filed Sep. 28, 2011; Ser. No. 13/247,256 filed Sep. 9, 2011;Ser. No. 13/626,075 filed Sep. 25, 2012; Ser. No. 13/626,087 filed Sep.25, 2012; Ser. No. 13/626,103 filed Sep. 25, 2012; and Ser. No.13/626,540 filed Sep. 25, 2012 are all incorporated herein by referencein their entirety.

Referring now to the drawing in which like numbers indicate likeelements throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 adisclosed embodiment of a hybrid insulated concrete form 10 inaccordance with the present invention. The hybrid insulated concreteform 10 includes a first exterior foam insulating panel 12 generallyparallel to and horizontally spaced from a first interior conventionalremovable concrete form 14. Adjacent the first exterior foam insulatingpanel 12 is a second exterior foam insulating panel 16; adjacent thefirst interior conventional removable concrete form 14 is a secondinterior conventional removable concrete form 18. The foam insulatingpanels 12, 16 and the conventional removable concrete forms 14, 18define a concrete receiving space 17 therebetween.

The foam insulating panels 12, 16 can be made from any insulatingmaterial that is sufficiently rigid to withstand the pressures of theconcrete placed in the hybrid insulated concrete form 10 and havesufficient heat insulating properties, as discussed below. The foaminsulating panels 12, 16 are preferably made from a closed cellpolymeric foam material, such as molded expanded polystyrene or extrudedexpanded polystyrene. Other polymeric foams can also be used including,but nor limited to, polyisocyanurate and polyurethane. If the foaminsulating panels 12, 16 are made from a material other thanpolystyrene, the foam insulating panels should each have insulatingproperties equivalent to approximately 0.5 to approximately 8 inches ofexpanded polystyrene foam; preferably at least 0.5 inches of expandedpolystyrene foam; more preferably at least 1 inch of expandedpolystyrene foam; most preferably at least 2 inches of expandedpolystyrene foam; especially at least 3 inches of expanded polystyrenefoam; more especially at least 4 inches of expanded polystyrene foam andmost especially at least 6 inches of expanded polystyrene foam.Preferably, the foam insulating panels 12, 16 each have insulatingproperties equivalent about 0.5 inches of expanded polystyrene foam;about 1 inch of expanded polystyrene foam; about 2 inches of expandedpolystyrene foam; about 3 inches of expanded polystyrene foam; about 4inches of expanded polystyrene foam; about 6 inches of expandedpolystyrene foam or about 8 inches of expanded polystyrene foam.Expanded polystyrene foam has an R-value of approximately 4 to 5 perinch thickness. Therefore, the foam insulating panels 12, 16 each shouldhave an R-value of greater than 4, preferably greater than 8, morepreferably greater than 12, most preferably greater than 16, especiallygreater than 20. The foam insulating panels 12, 16 preferably each havean R-value of approximately 4 to approximately 40; more preferablybetween approximately 10 to approximately 40; especially approximately12 to approximately 40; more especially approximately 20 toapproximately 40. The foam insulating panels 12, 16 preferably each havean R-value of approximately 4, more preferably approximately 8,especially approximately 12, most preferably approximately 16,especially approximately 20 or more especially approximately 40.

The foam insulating panels 12, 16 should also each have a densitysufficient to make them substantially rigid, such as approximately 1 toapproximately 3 pounds per cubic foot, preferably approximately 1.5pounds per cubic foot. Extruded expanded closed cell polystyrene foam isavailable under the trademark Neopor® and is available from GeorgiaFoam, Gainesville, Ga. Extruded polystyrene is available from DowChemical, Midland, Mich., USA. The foam insulating panels 12, 16 can bemade by molding to the desired size and shape, by cutting blocks orsheets of pre-formed expanded polystyrene foam into a desired size andshape or by extruding the desired shape and then cutting to the desiredlength. Although the foam insulating panels 12, 16 can be of any desiredsize, it is specifically contemplated that the foam insulating panelswill be of a height equal to the distance from a floor to a ceilingwhere a building wall or column is to be constructed. In otherinstances, it may be desirable that the foam insulating panels 12, 16are the height of multiple stories, such as the height of a two storyhome. Thus, the height of the foam insulating panels will vary dependingon the wall height of a particular building design. However, for ease ofhandling, the foam insulating panels 12, 16 will each generally be 9feet 6 inches high and 4 feet 1 inches wide. These dimension will alsovary depending on whether the panels are the interior panel or theexterior panel, as is explained in applicant's co-pending patentapplication Ser. No. 12/753,220 filed Apr. 2, 2010 and Ser. No.13/247,133 filed Sep. 29, 2011 (the disclosure of which are bothincorporated herein by reference in their entirety).

Optionally applied to the outer surface 11 (FIGS. 4 and 5) of each ofthe foam insulating panels 12, 16 is a layer of reinforcing material,such as the layers of reinforcing material 20, 22 (FIGS. 1 and 2), andas also disclosed in applicant's co-pending patent application Ser. No.12/753,220 filed Apr. 2, 2010 and Ser. No. 13/247,133 filed Sep. 29,2011 (the disclosures of which are both incorporated herein by referencein their entirety). The layers of reinforcing material 20, 22 can bemade from continuous materials, such as sheets or films, ordiscontinuous materials, such as fabrics, webs or meshes. The layers ofreinforcing material 20, 22 can be made from material such as polymers,for example polyethylene or polypropylene, from fibers, such asfiberglass, basalt fibers, aramid fibers or from composite materials,such as carbon fibers in polymeric materials, or from metal, such assteel or aluminum wires, sheets or corrugated sheets, and foils, such asmetal foils, especially aluminum foil. The layers of reinforcingmaterial 20, 22 can be made from metal, but preferably are made fromsynthetic plastic materials that form the warp and weft strands of afabric, web or mesh. A preferred material for the layers of reinforcingmaterial 20, 22 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,625,827 (the disclosureof which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). Also, thelayers of reinforcing material 20, 22 can be made from carbon fiber,alkaline resistant fiberglass, basalt fiber, aramid fibers,polypropylene, polystyrene, vinyl, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or nylon,or from composite materials, such as carbon fibers in polymericmaterials, or the like. For example, the layers of reinforcing material20-22 can be made from the mesh or lath disclosed in any of U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,836,715; 6,123,879; 6,263,629; 6,454,889; 6,632,309; 6,898,908 or7,100,336 (the disclosures of which are all incorporated herein byreference in their entirety). If an extruded foam panel is used, thefoam can be extruded between two layers of reinforcing material, such assheets of metal, such as sheets of aluminum, fibreglass matt, and thelike.

The layers of reinforcing material 20, 22 can be adhered to the outersurfaces 11 of the foam insulating panels 12, 16 by a conventionaladhesive that is compatible with the material from which the foaminsulating panels are made. However, it is preferred that the layers ofreinforcing material 20, 22 be laminated to the outer surfaces 11 of thefoam insulating panels 12, 16 using a polymeric material that also formsa weather or moisture barrier on the exterior surface of the foaminsulating panels. The weather barrier can be applied to a layers ofreinforcing material 20, 22 on the surface 11 of the foam insulatingpanels 12, 16 by any suitable method, such as by spraying, brushing orrolling. The moisture barrier can be applied as the laminating agent forthe layers of reinforcing material 20, 22 or it can be applied inaddition to an adhesive used to adhere the layers of reinforcingmaterial to the outer surfaces 11 of the foam insulating panels 12, 16.Suitable polymeric materials for use as the moisture barrier are anywater-proof polymeric material that is compatible with both the materialfrom which the layer of reinforcing material 20, 22 and the foaminsulating panels 12, 16 are made; especially, liquid applied weathermembrane materials. Useful liquid applied weather membrane materialsinclude, but are not limited to, WeatherSeal® by Parex of Anaheim,Calif. (a 100% acrylic elastomeric waterproof membrane and air barrierwhich can be applied by rolling, brushing, or spraying) or Senershield®by BASF (a one-component fluid-applied vapor impermeableair/water-resistive barrier that is both waterproof and resilient)available at most building supply stores. For relatively simpleapplications, where cost is an issue or where simple exterior finishsystems are desired, the layers of reinforcing material 20, 22 can beomitted.

A preferred elastomeric weather membrane is a combination ofWeatherSeal® and 0.1% to approximately 50% by weight ceramic fibers,preferably 0.1% to 40% by weight, more preferably 0.1% to 30% by weight,most preferably 0.1% to 20% by weight, especially 0.1% to 15% by weight,more especially 0.1% to 10% by weight, most especially 0.1% to 5% byweight. Ceramic fibers are fibers made from materials including, but notlimited to, silica, silicon carbide, alumina, aluminum silicate,aluminum oxide, zirconia, and calcium silicate. Wollastonite is anexample of a ceramic fiber. Wollastonite is a calcium inosilicatemineral (CaSiO₃) that may contain small amounts of iron, magnesium, andmanganese substituted for calcium. Wollastonite is available from NYCOMinerals of NY, USA. Bulk ceramic fibers are available from Unifrax ILLC, Niagara Falls, N.Y., USA. Ceramic fibers are known to block heattransmission and especially radiant heat. When placed on the exteriorsurface of a building wall, ceramic fibers improve the energy efficiencyof the building envelope.

Optionally, Wollastonite can be used in the elastomeric weather membraneto both increase resistance to heat transmission and act as a fireretardant. Therefore, the elastomeric weather membrane can obtain fireresistance properties. A fire resistant membrane over the exterior faceof the foam insulating panel can increase the fire rating of the wallassembly by delaying the melting of the foam insulating panel.

The foam insulating panels 12, 16 each include a plurality of panelanchor members, such as the panel anchor member 24, as disclosed inapplicant's co-pending patent application Ser. No. 13/247,133 filed Sep.28, 2011; Ser. No. 13/247,256 filed Sep. 28, 2011 and Ser. No.13/626,087 filed Sep. 25, 2012 (the disclosures of which are allincorporated herein by reference in their entirety). The panel anchormember 24 (FIGS. 3-5) is preferably formed from a polymericthermosetting or thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene,polypropylene, nylon, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), glassfilled thermoplastics or thermosetting plastics, such as vinyl esterfiberglass, or the like. For particularly large or heavy structures, thepanel anchor member 24 is preferably formed from glass filled or mineralfiber filled thermoplastics, such as nylon. The panel anchor member 24can be formed by any suitable process, such as by molding, injectionmolding, extrusion or pultrusion. Also, where structural loads areplaced upon the panel anchor members, they can be made of metal, such asaluminum or steel, and by casting, molding or stamping.

Each panel anchor member 24 includes an elongate panel-penetratingportion 26 and a flange 28 adjacent an end of the panel-penetratingportion. The flange 28 can be any suitable shape, such as square, ovalor the like, but in this embodiment is shown as circular. The flange 28prevents the panel anchor member 24 from pulling out of the foaminsulating panel 12. The flange 28 also traps a portion of the layer ofreinforcing material 20 between it and the outer surface 11 of the foaminsulating panel 12, thereby mechanically attaching the layer ofreinforcing material to the foam insulating panel. The panel-penetratingportion 26 can be any suitable cross-sectional shape, such as square,round, oval or the like, but in this embodiment is shown as having agenerally plus sign (“+”) cross-sectional shape. The panel-penetratingportion 26 comprises four leg members 32, 34, 36 (only three of whichare shown in FIG. 5) extending radially outwardly from a central coremember. The plus sign (“+”) cross-sectional shape of thepanel-penetrating portion 26 prevents the panel anchor member 24 fromrotating around its longitudinal axis during concrete placement. Theplus sign (“+”) cross-sectional shape also increases the surface area ofthe panel-penetrating portion 26, which thereby increases the frictionbetween the panel-penetrating portion and the foam insulating panel 12,16. This increased friction holds the panel anchor member 24 in the foaminsulating panels 12, 14 more securely.

Formed adjacent an end 38 of the panel anchor member 24 opposite theflange 28 is a notch 40. The notch 40 is formed in each of the four legs32-36 adjacent an end 38 of the panel anchor member 24 opposite theflange 28. The notch 40 can be any shape, such as triangular, round,oval or the like, but in this embodiment is shown as having a generallyrectangular shape (FIGS. 4 and 5). The notch 40 provides a portion ofthe panel-penetrating portion 26 with an effectively reduced diameter ordimension for a solid anchorage point into the concrete. As can be seenin FIGS. 4-6, when the flange 28 contacts the layer of reinforcingmaterial 20 (or the outer surface 11 of the foam insulating panel 12, ifthe layer of reinforcing material is not used), the end 38 of thepanel-penetrating portion 26 extend beyond the inner surface 42 of thefoam insulating panel 12 into the concrete receiving space 17,preferably approximately halfway between the foam insulating panel 12and the conventional removable concrete form 14.

The diameter of the flange 28 should be as large as practical to holdthe foam insulating panel 12 securely to the hardened concrete in theconcrete receiving space 17. Furthermore, the diameter of the flange 28should be as large as practical to securely hold the layer ofreinforcing material 20, if used, against the outer surface 11 of thefoam insulating panel 12. It is found as a part of the present inventionthat a flange 28 having a diameter of approximately 2 to approximately 4inches, especially approximately 3 inches, is useful in the presentinvention. Furthermore, the spacing between adjacent panel anchormembers 24 will vary depending on factors including the concrete to beformed between the foam insulating panel 12 and the conventionalremovable concrete form 14 and the type of exterior cladding to be usedon the exterior of the foam insulating panel. However, it is found as apart of the present invention that a spacing of adjacent panel anchormembers 24 of approximately 6 inch to approximately 24 inch centers,especially 16 inch centers, is useful in the present invention.

Extending longitudinally outwardly from the flange 28 opposite thepanel-penetrating portion 26 is a second anchor portion 43 (FIG. 5). Thesecond anchor portion 43 can be any suitable cross-sectional shape, suchas square, round, oval or the like, but in this embodiment is shown ashaving a generally plus sign (“+”) cross-sectional shape. The secondanchor portion 43 comprises four leg members 44, 46, 48, 49 (FIGS. 5 and37) extending radially outwardly from a central core member. Formedadjacent an end 50 of the second anchor portion 43 intermediate theflange 28 and the end 50 is a notch 52. The notch 52 is formed in eachof the four leg members 44-49 adjacent the end 50 of the second anchorportion 43. The notch 52 can be any suitable shape, such as triangular,round, oval or the like, but in this embodiment is shown as having agenerally rectangular shape (FIG. 5). The notch 52 provides a portion ofthe second anchor portion 48 with an effectively reduced diameter ordimension for attachment to a whaler or a vertical stud member, asexplained further below.

Optionally, on each of the four legs members 32-36 intermediate the ends38, 50 of the panel anchor member 24 is formed a plurality of fins 54,56, 58 (only three of which are visible in FIG. 5). The fins 54-58 areformed on the panel-penetrating portion 26 such that when the flange 28contacts the layer of reinforcing material 20 (or the outer surface 11of the foam insulating panel 12 if the layer of reinforcing material isnot used), the fins are located between the outer surface 11 and theinner surface 42 of the foam insulating panel 12. The fins 54-58 can beany suitable shape, such as round, but in this embodiment are shown asgenerally rectangular and flaring outwardly from the leg members 32-36toward the flange 28. Thus, as the end 38 of the panel anchor member 24is inserted into and through the foam insulating panel 12, the fins54-58 on the leg members 32-36 slightly compress the foam materialallowing them to slide into the foam insulating panel. However, once theflange 28 contacts the layer of reinforcing material 20 (or the outersurface 11 of the foam insulating panel 12 if the layer of reinforcingmaterial is not used), the fins 54-58 resist removal of the panel anchormember 24 from the foam insulating panel. The fins 54-58 thereforeprovide a one-way locking mechanism; i.e., the panel anchor member 24can be relatively easily inserted onto the foam insulating panel 12, butonce fully inserted, the panel anchor member is locked in place andcannot easily be removed from the foam insulating panel. Therefore, thefins 54-58 prevent the panel anchor member 24 from falling out of thefoam insulating panel 12 during transportation, setup and concreteplacement. However, for certain situations or certain types of exteriorwall cladding, it may be desirable to omit the fins 54-58.

The leg members 32, 36 include a U-shaped cutout 60 adjacent the end 38of the panel anchor member 24. The U-shaped cutout 60 is designed andadapted to receive and hold a rebar or wire mesh for reinforcing theconcrete in the concrete receiving space 17. Aligned rows of panelanchor members, such as the panel anchor members 24, 24″, providealigned rows of U-shaped cutouts 60 such that adjacent parallel rows ofrebar, such as the rebar 62, of desired length can be attached to therows of panel anchor members. Crossing columns of rebar, such as therebar 64, can be laid on top of the rows of rebar, such as the rebar 62,to form a conventional rebar grid. Where the rebar 62 intersects therebar 64, the two rebar can be tied together with wire ties in aconventional manner known in the art. Of course, in addition to the useof rebar, or in place of the use of rebar, reinforcing fibers, such assteel fibers, synthetic fibers or mineral fibers, such as Wollastonite,can be used. Many different types of steel fibers are known and can beused in the present invention, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,235,108; 7,419,543 and 7,641,731 and PCT patent applicationInternational Publication Nos. WO 2012/080326 and WO 2012/080323 (thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties). Particularly preferred steel fibers are Dramix® 3D, 4D and5D steel fibers available from Bekaert, Belgium and Bekaert Corp.,Marietta, Ga., USA. Plastic fibers can also be used, such as thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,753,081; 6,569,525 and 5,628,822 (thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties).

The foam insulating panel 12 is prepared by forming a plurality of plussign (“+”) shaped holes, such as the hole 63, in the foam insulatingpanels 12, 16 to receive the end 38 and panel penetrating portion 26 ofeach of the panel anchor members, such as the panel anchor member 24.Holes, such as the hole 63, in the foam insulating panels 12, 16 can beformed by conventional drilling, such as with a rotating drill bit, bywater jets, by hot knives or by saw cutting knives. When the foaminsulating panels 12, 16 each include a layer of reinforcing material20, 22, the layer of reinforcing material is preferably adhered to thefoam insulating panels before the holes are formed in those panels. Itis also preferable to form the holes in the foam insulating panels 12,16 after the moisture barrier or weather membrane is applied to theouter surface 11 of the foam insulating panels, as described above.First, a hole matching the cross-sectional shape of thepanel-penetrating portion 26 of the panel anchor member 24 can be formedin the foam insulating panels 12, 16 using saw cutting knives. Theholes, such as the hole 63, formed in the foam insulating panels 12, 16extend from the outer surface 11 to the inner surface 42 of the foaminsulating panels so that the foam panel-penetrating portion 26 of thepanel anchor member 24 can be inserted complete through the foaminsulating panels, as shown in FIG. 5. The foam insulating panel 12 isthen assembled by inserting the panel-penetrating portion 26 of thepanel anchor member 24 through the hole 63 in the composite foaminsulating panel 12 until the flange 28 contacts the layer ofreinforcing material 20 (or the outer surface 11 of the foam insulatingpanel 12 if the layer of reinforcing material is not used). The foaminsulating panel 12 is then placed on a concrete footing or a flatsurface, such as the top surface 66 of a concrete slab 68 (FIG. 1).

The conventional removable concrete forms 14, 18 each comprise arectangular concrete forming face panel 100 made of a material typicallyused in prior art concrete forms (FIGS. 7-9). Most prior art removableconcrete forms use wood, plywood, wood composite materials, or wood orcomposite materials with polymer coatings for the concrete forming panelof their concrete forms. A preferred prior art material for the facepanel 100 is a sheet of high density overlay (HDO) plywood. The priorart face panel 100 can be any useful thickness depending on theanticipated load to which the form will be subjected. However,thicknesses of ½ inch to ⅞ inch are typically used. The face panel 100has a first primary surface 102 for contacting plastic concrete and anopposite second primary surface 104. The first primary surface 102 isusually smooth and flat. However, the first primary surface 102 can alsobe contoured so as to form a desired design in the concrete, such as abrick or stone pattern. The first primary surface 102 can also include apolymer coating to make the surface smoother, more durable and/orprovide better release properties.

Attached to the face panel 100 is a rectangular frame 106, whichcomprises two elongate longitudinal members 108, 110 and two elongatetransverse members 112, 114. The longitudinal members 108, 110 and thetransverse members 112, 114 are attached to each other by any suitablemeans used in the prior art, such as by welding, and to the face panel100 by any suitable means used in the prior art, such as by bolting orscrewing the face panel to the frame. The frame 106 also comprises atleast one, and preferably a plurality, of transverse bracing members116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132. The transverse bracingmembers 116-132 are attached to the longitudinal members 108, 110 by anysuitable means used in the prior art. The frame 106 also includesbracing members 134, 136 and 138, 140. The bracing members 134, 136extend between the transverse member 114 and the bracing member 116. Thebracing members 134, 136 are attached to the transverse member 114 andthe bracing member 116 by any suitable means used in the prior art. Thebracing members 138, 140 extend between the transverse member 112 andthe bracing member 132. The bracing members 138, 140 are attached to thetransverse member 112 and the bracing member 132 by any suitable meansused in the prior art. The frame 106 helps prevent the face panel 100from flexing or deforming under the hydrostatic pressure of the plasticconcrete when placed in the concrete receiving space 17. The frame 106can be made from any suitable material, such as wood or metal, such asaluminum or steel, depending on the load to which the form 14 will besubjected. The particular design of the frame 106 is not critical to thepresent invention. There are many different designs of frames forremovable concrete forms and they are all applicable to the presentinvention. Conventional removable concrete forms, such as theconventional removable concrete forms 14, 18, are available fromWall-Ties & Forms, Inc., Shawnee, Kans., USA or under the designationWall Formwork from Doka, Amstetten, Austria and Lawrenceville, Ga., USA.

The conventional removable concrete form 14 is erected to a verticalposition on the surface 66 of the slab 68 and horizontally spaced fromthe foam insulating panel 12 with the face panel 100 facing the foaminsulating panel, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The first surface 102 ofthe face panel 100 and the inner surface 42 of the foam insulating panel12 define the concrete receiving space 17. The foam insulating panel 16is erected adjacent the foam insulating panel 12 and the conventionalremovable concrete form 18, which is identical to the conventionalremovable concrete form 14, is positioned adjacent the conventionalremovable concrete form 14. The conventional removable concrete form 14and the conventional removable concrete form 18 are connected to eachother in a manner well known in the art. Additional foam insulatingpanels (not shown) and additional conventional removable concrete forms(not shown) can be joined together in a similar manner to provide aconcrete form of a desired size, shape and configuration.

It is a specific feature of the present invention that whalers (alsoknow as wales or walers) may be used in combination with the panelanchor members, such as the panel anchor member 24, to further reinforcethe foam insulating panels 12, 16 and increase the pressure ratingthereof; especially when wet, unhardened (i.e., plastic) concrete ispoured into the concrete receiving space 17 and the hydrostatic pressureon the foam insulating panels is at a maximum. To stabilize the foaminsulating panels 12, 16, a plurality of horizontal whalers 200, 202,204, 206, 208, 210 are attached to the plurality of panel anchor membersarranged in horizontal rows, such as the panel anchor members 24, 24″.The design of the whalers 200-210 is disclosed in applicant's co-pendingpatent application Ser. No. 13/247,133 filed Sep. 28, 2011 (thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety). The whalers 200-210 each comprise an elongate U-shapedchannel made from a material having high flexural strength, such assteel, aluminum or composite plastic materials (FIGS. 1-4). The whalers200-210 each include two parallel spaced side members 212, 214 and aconnecting bottom member 216 (FIG. 4). The side members 212, 214 provideextra strength and resistance to flex of the bottom member 216. Formedin the bottom member 216 is a key-shaped opening or key slot 218 (FIG.2); i.e., the lateral dimension at the narrow portion is narrower thanthe lateral dimension at the wider portion. The key slot 218 can beformed in the whalers 200-210 by stamping, routing or any other suitabletechnique. The whaler 200-210 can be formed by extrusion, pultrusion, byroll forming or by any other suitable technique.

The lateral dimension of the wider portion of the key slot 218 is chosenso that it is larger than the effective diameter or dimension of the end50 of the panel anchor member 24; i.e., the width of the leg members 44,48. The lateral dimension of the narrower portion of the key slot 218 ischosen so that it is narrower than the effective diameter of the end 50of the panel anchor member 24; i.e., narrower than the width of the legmembers 44, 48 and equal to or wider then the width of the leg members44, 48 at the notch 52.

Therefore, the whaler 200 can be placed over the end 50 of the panelanchor member 24 such that the end of the panel anchor member fitsthrough the wider portion of the key slot 218. Then, the whaler 200 canbe slid horizontally so that the end 50 of the panel anchor member 24 ispositioned in the narrower portion of the key slot 218 and the sides ofthe key slot fit in the notch 52 in the panel anchor member. When theend 50 of the panel anchor member 24 is in the narrower portion of thekey slot 218 (FIG. 2), the whaler 200 is locked in place and cannot beremoved from the end of the panel anchor member (longitudinally withrespect to the panel anchor member). A hole (not shown) is provided inthe side wall 214 of the whaler 200 aligned with the approximatemid-point of the narrower portion of key slot 218. A screw or pin (notshown) can then be screwed or inserted into the hole so that the shaftof the screw or pin extends transversely across the width of the whaler200 and across the narrow portion of the key slot 218, thereby capturingthe end 50 of the panel anchor member 24 in the narrow portion of thekey slot. When the screw or pin (not shown) is positioned in the hole,as described above, the whaler 200 cannot be slid horizontally, therebylocking the whaler in position.

The length of the whalers 200-210 will depend on the width of the foaminsulating panels 12, 14 that are used. However, it is contemplated thatthe length of the whalers 200-210 can be at least as long as the widthof one of the foam insulating panels 12, 16 and, preferable, the whalerhas a length equal to the width of multiple foam insulating panels.Also, the distance from the key slot 218 to the next horizontallyadjacent key slot (FIG. 2) is the same as the center-to-center distancefrom the end 50 of one panel anchor member 24 to the end of the nexthorizontally adjacent panel anchor member 24″ (FIG. 2). Thus, eachwhaler 200-210 has a plurality of key slots spaced along the lengththereof and the number and spacing of the key slots corresponds to thenumber and spacing of the ends 50 of the panel anchor members 24, 24″used in the foam insulating panels 12, 16. To add flexibility, thewhalers 200-210 have key slots spaced one-half the distance betweenhorizontally adjacent panel anchor members 24, 24″. This allows thewhalers 200-210 to accommodate a different spacing of panel anchormembers 24, 24″. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 2, the ends 50 ofthe panel anchor members 24, 24″ fit in every other key slot in thewhaler 200. Also, the panel anchor members 24, 24″ in the presentlydisclosed embodiment are spaced on 16 inch centers in four foot widefoam insulating panels 12, 16. However, the whalers 200-210 can also beused with panel anchor members 24, 24″ spaced every 8 inches orcombinations of 8 inches and 16 inches. For example, at a corner itmight be desirable to space the panel anchor members 24, 24″ 8 inchesapart, but the rest of the wall would only require a spacing of 16inches. Thus, the whalers 200-210 can accommodate these types ofspacings.

FIGS. 1-4 show the use of the U-shaped whalers 200-210. However, othershapes are also useful for the whalers used in the present invention.For example, FIG. 6 shows the use of two I-beam whalers 220, 222. Thedesign of the I-beam whalers 220, 222 is disclosed in applicant'sco-pending patent application Ser. No. 13/247,133 filed Sep. 28, 2011(the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety). The I-beam whalers 220, 222 each interlock with the ends ofthe panel anchor members, such as the end 50 of the panel anchor member24, using a plurality of key slots (not shown) formed in the edge of theI-beam whalers.

It is desirable to use strongbacks to plumb the foam insulating panels12, 16 to vertical, to further reinforce the foam insulating panels andto withstand the hydrostatic pressure of the plastic concrete. FIGS. 1,2 and 3 show the use of the strongbacks 224, 226 with the foaminsulating panels 12, 16 reinforced with the U-shaped whalers 200-210.Strongbacks are well known in the art and are typically U-shaped orI-beam shaped heavy gauge metal beams that are erected verticallyadjacent conventional metal concrete forms to help true and align theforms to vertical. Each strongback 224, 226 is an elongate metalreinforcing member. The strongbacks 224, 226 can be any typical designbut are usually an extruded U-shaped or I-beam shaped cross-sectionalshape made of heavy gauge steel or aluminum. The strongbacks 224, 226are attached to the whalers 200-210 with clips (not shown) in a mannerwell known in the art.

Four connecting rod/clamping devices are formed adjacent each of thecorners of the hybrid insulated concrete form 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-4.A first hole 230 is formed in the upper left corner of the compositefoam insulating panel 12, such as by drilling (FIGS. 4 and 10). A secondhole 232 in axial alignment with the first hole 230 is formed in theface panel 100 and the longitudinal frame member 110 of the conventionalremovable concrete form 14. A hole 234 is formed in the strongback 224,such as by drilling. Alternately, two parallel strongbacks (not shown)can be used instead of the single strongback 224 in the manner shown inapplicant's co-pending patent application Ser. No. 13/247,133 filed Sep.28, 2011 (the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety). A first elongate rod 236 having male threads formedthereon, an eccentric hand crank 238 on one end thereof and a flange 240adjacent the hand crank is insert through the holes 234, 230. Anelongate sleeve 242 of exactly the same length as the distance betweenthe inner surface 42 of the composite foam insulating panel 12 and theinner surface 102 of the face panel 100 of the conventional removableconcrete form 14 (which is also equal to the thickness of the concretereceiving space 17) is disposed between the foam insulating panel 12 andthe conventional removable concrete form 14 and in axial alignment withthe holes 234, 230, 232. The sleeve 242 has female threads formed insidethe sleeve such that the rod 236 can be screwed into the sleeve byturning the hand crack 238. A second elongate rod 244 having malethreads formed thereon, an eccentric hand crank 246 on one end thereofand a flange 248 adjacent the hand crank is insert through the hole 232.The female threads in the sleeve 242 are such that the rod 244 can bescrewed into the sleeve by turning the hand crank 246. Both rods 236,244 are screwed into the sleeve 242 until the flanges 240, 248 are tightagainst the strongback 224 and the longitudinal frame member 110 of theconventional removable concrete form 14 and until flanges 250, 252provided on opposite ends of the sleeve 242 are tight against the innersurface 42 of the foam insulating panel 12 and the inner surface 102 ofthe face panel 100. An identical sleeve 254, threaded rods 256, 258 andhand crank 260, 262 form a rod/clamping device in the lower left portionof the insulated concrete form 10, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.Identical sleeves (not shown), threaded rods (not shown) and hand cranks264, 266 (FIGS. 1 and 2) are provided in the upper portion and lowerportion of the foam insulating panel 16 and conventional removableconcrete form 18 in the same manner as described above. By clamping thestrongbacks 224, 226 to the frame 106 of the conventional removableconcrete forms 14, 18, as described above, the strongbacks 224, 226 willautomatically be held parallel to the conventional removable concreteforms 14, 18. The strongbacks also provide extra reinforcement to thefoam insulating panels 12, 16 so that they can withstand higher pressureloads.

Alternatively to the threaded sleeves, such as the threaded sleeve 254,a hollow PVC sleeve (not shown) can be substituted. A single threadedrod (not shown) can be substituted for the two threaded rods 236, 244.Nuts (not shown) can be substituted for the eccentric hand cranks 238,246. The nuts can be placed on the opposite ends of the single treadedrod and tightened against the flanges 240, 248. After the concrete hashardened, the nuts and single threaded rod can be removed leaving onlythe hollow PVC sleeve in the concrete. Thus, the precise design of thelinkage system between the strongbacks 224, 226 and the conventionalremovable concrete forms 14, 18 is not critical to the presentinvention. What is essential is that the strongbacks 224, 226 aremechanically linked to the conventional removable concrete forms 14, 18so that the hydrostatic pressure applied to the foam insulating panelscan be transferred to the conventional removable concrete forms throughthe mechanical linkage.

Alternatively, although not shown here, the conventional removableconcrete form can be any type of concrete forming system made of plywoodand whalers held in place by strongbacks connected to the foaminsulating panel side of the hybrid concrete form by the connecting rod,as described above.

One end 380 of a knee brace/turnbuckle 382 is pivotable attached to thebrace member 130 of the frame 106 adjacent the top of the conventionalremovable concrete form 14 (FIG. 3). The other end 384 of the kneebrace/turnbuckle 382 is pivotably attached to a bracket 386 that isanchored to the concrete slab 68, such as by screws or by shooting anail through the bracket into the concrete slab. Rotation of the kneebrace/turnbuckle 382 lengthens or shortens the knee brace/turnbuckle,thereby enabling fine adjustment of the conventional removable concreteform 14 to plumb or true vertical. Additional knee brace/turnbuckles(not shown) are placed at intervals along the horizontal width ofadjacent conventional removable concrete forms. By attaching thehorizontal whalers, such as the whalers 200-210, to the verticalstrongbacks, such as the strongbacks 224, 226, which are in turnattached to the frame of the conventional removable concrete forms, suchas the frame 106 of the conventional removable concrete form 14, thewhalers will all be aligned vertically as well. Since the whalers, suchas the whalers 200-210, are attached to the panel anchor members, suchas the panel anchor member 24, the panel anchor members will be alignedvertically, also. Since the elongate sleeves, such as the sleeves 242,254, are all of the exact same dimensions; i.e., the distance betweenthe flanges 250, 252 are identical for all elongate sleeves, and sincethe elongate sleeves are attached to the foam insulating panels, such asthe panels 12, 16, and to the conventional removable concrete forms 14,18, the foam insulating panels will be vertically aligned as well, thusmaking a perfectly uniform, straight, vertical concrete wall formingsystem. The sleeves 242, 254 also provide identical spacing of the foaminsulating panel 12 and the conventional removable concrete form 14 andthe foam insulating panel 16 and the conventional removable concreteform 18, thereby providing a concrete receiving space 17 of uniformthickness.

The hybrid concrete form 10 is used by erecting the foam insulatingpanels 12, 16 and conventional removable concrete forms 14, 18 on thesurface 66 of the concrete slab 68 in the manner described above.Plastic concrete is then placed in the concrete receiving space 17.After concrete 390 in the concrete receiving space 17 cures or hardenssufficiently, the rods 236, 244 are unscrewed from the sleeve 242 andremoved from the holes 234, 230, 232. Similarly, the rods 256, 258 areremoved from the sleeve 254. Other rods (not shown) are removed from theother sleeves (not shown) in the other foam insulating panels andconventional removable concrete forms, such as the foam insulating panel16 and the conventional removable concrete form 18. The sleeves, such asthe sleeves 242, 254, remain embedded in the solidified concrete. Thesleeves 242, 254 can then be used as anchors for attaching wall claddingor for attaching construction elevators or scaffolding thereto forhigh-rise construction. The strongbacks 224, 226 are then removed fromthe whalers 200-210. The whalers 200-210 are removed from the panelanchor members, such as the panel anchor member 24, 24″. The kneebrace/turn buckle 382 is removed from the conventional removableconcrete form 14 and from the bracket 386. And, the conventionalremovable concrete forms 14, 18 are removed from the hardened concrete390. This leaves a vertical layer or wall of hardened concrete 390 andattached foam insulating panels 12, 16, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 10. Thehardened concrete 390 is attached to the foam insulating panels 12, 16mechanically by the plurality of the panel anchor members, such as thepanel anchor member 24, but is also adhesively attached by the cementfrom the concrete.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show an alternate disclosed embodiment of the panelanchor member 24. FIGS. 11 and 12 show two identical panel anchormembers 400, 400′. The panel anchor members 400, 400′ (FIG. 11) arepreferably formed from a polymeric thermosetting or thermoplasticmaterial, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon,acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), glass filled thermoplastics orthermosetting plastics, such as vinyl ester fiberglass, or the like. Forparticularly large or heavy structures, the panel anchor members 400,400′ are preferably formed from glass filled or mineral fiber filledthermoplastics, such as nylon. The panel anchor members 400, 400′ can beformed by any suitable process, such as by molding, injection molding,extrusion or pultrusion. Also, where structural loads are placed uponthe panel anchor members, they can be made of metal, such as aluminum orsteel, and by casting, molding or stamping.

Each of the panel anchor members 400, 400′ include an elongatepanel-penetrating portion 402 and a flange 404 adjacent an end of thepanel-penetrating portion (FIG. 12). The flange 404 can be any suitableshape, such as square, oval or the like, but in this disclosedembodiment is shown as circular. The flange 404 prevents the panelanchor member 400 from pulling out of the foam insulating panel 12. Theflange 404 also captures a portion of the layer of reinforcing material20 between the flange and the outer surface 11 of the foam insulatingpanel 12, thereby mechanically attaching the layer of reinforcingmaterial to the foam insulating panel. The panel-penetrating portion 402can be any suitable cross-sectional shape, such as square, round, ovalor the like, but in this embodiment is shown as having a generally plussign (“+”) cross-sectional shape. The panel-penetrating portion 402comprises four leg members 406, 408, 410 (only three of which are shownin FIG. 12) extending radially outwardly from a central core member. Theplus sign (“+”) cross-sectional shape of the panel-penetrating portion402 prevents the panel anchor member 400 from rotating around itslongitudinal axis during concrete placement. Formed adjacent an end 412of the panel anchor member 400 opposite the flange 404 is a notch 414.The notch 414 is formed in each of the four legs 406-410 adjacent theend 412 of the panel anchor member 400 to receive concrete for properanchorage. The notch 414 can be any shape, such as triangular, round,oval or the like, but in this embodiment is shown as having a generallyrectangular shape (FIG. 11). The notch 414 provides a portion of thepanel-penetrating portion 402 with an effectively reduced diameter ordimension. As can be seen in FIGS. 11-12, when the flange 404 contactsthe layer of reinforcing material 20 (or the outer surface 11 of thefoam insulating panel 12 if the layer of reinforcing material is notused), the end 412 of the panel-penetrating portion 402 extend beyondthe inner surface 42 of the foam insulating panel 12 into the concretereceiving space 17, preferably approximately halfway between the foaminsulating panel 12 and the conventional removable concrete form 14.

The diameter of the flange 404 should be as large as practical tosecurely hold the foam insulating panel 12 to the hardened concrete 390in the concrete receiving space 17. Furthermore, the diameter of theflange 404 should be as large as practical to securely hold the layer ofreinforcing material 20, if used, against the outer surface 11 of thefoam insulating panel 12. It is found as a part of the present inventionthat a flange 404 having a diameter of approximately 2 to approximately4 inches, especially approximately 3 inches, is useful in the presentinvention. Furthermore, the spacing between adjacent panel anchormembers 400, 400′ will vary depending on factors including the concreteto be formed between the foam insulating panel 12 and the conventionalremovable concrete form 14 and the type of exterior cladding to be usedon the exterior of the foam insulating panel. However, it is found as apart of the present invention that a spacing of adjacent panel anchormembers 400, 400′ of approximately 6 inch to approximately 24 inchcenters, especially 16 inch centers, is useful in the present invention.

On each of the four legs members 406-410 intermediate the end 412 andthe flange 404 of the panel anchor member 400 is formed a plurality offins 416, 418, 420 (only three of which are visible in FIG. 11). Thefins 416-420 are formed on the panel-penetrating portion 402 such thatwhen the flange 404 contacts the layer of reinforcing material 20 (orthe outer surface 11 of the foam insulating panel 12 if the layer ofreinforcing material is not used), the fins are located between theouter surface 11 and the inner surface 42 of the foam insulating panel12. The fins 416-420 can be any suitable shape, such as round, but inthis embodiment are shown as generally rectangular and flaring outwardlyfrom the leg members 406-410 toward the flange 404. Thus, as the end 412of the panel anchor member 400 is inserted into and through the foaminsulating panel 12, the fins 416-420 on the leg members 406-410slightly compress the foam material allowing them to slide into the foaminsulating panel. However, once the flange 404 contacts the layer ofreinforcing material 20 (or the outer surface 11 of the foam insulatingpanel 12 if the layer of reinforcing material is not used), the fins416-420 resist removal of the panel anchor member 400 from the foaminsulating panel. The fins 416-420 therefore provide a one-way lockingmechanism; i.e., the panel anchor member 400 can be relatively easilyinserted onto the foam insulating panel 12, but once fully inserted, thepanel anchor member is locked in place and cannot easily be removed fromthe foam insulating panel. Therefore, the fins 416-420 prevent the panelanchor member 400 from falling out of the foam insulating panel 12during transportation, setup and concrete placement.

The leg members 406, 410 include a U-shaped cutout 422 adjacent the end412 of the panel anchor member 400. The U-shaped cutout 422 is designedand adapted to receive and hold a rebar or wire mesh for reinforcing theconcrete in the concrete receiving space 17. Aligned rows of panelanchor members, such as the panel anchor member 400, provide alignedrows of U-shaped cutouts 422 such that adjacent parallel rows of rebar,such as the rebar 62, of desired length can be attached to the rows ofpanel anchor members. Crossing columns of rebar, such as the rebar 64,can be laid on top of the rows of rebar, such as the rebar 62, to form aconventional rebar grid. Where the rebar 62 intersects the rebar 64, thetwo rebar can be tied together with wire ties in a conventional mannerknown in the art.

Formed in the end 430 of the panel anchor member 400 is a longitudinallyextending hole 432 axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of thepanel anchor member. The hole 432 can be formed by drilling or bymolding. The hole 432 is sized and shaped to receive a self-tappingscrew 434. If it is desired to attach horizontal whalers, such as thewhaler 202, or vertical wall studs to the panel anchor member 400, itcan easily be done by inserting the self-tapping screw 434 through, forexample, a hole 435 in the whaler 202 and into the hole 432 in the end430 of the panel anchor member 400. The screw 434 can then be tightenedso that the whaler 200 is held firmly in place. It may be desirable toplace a washer 436 between the screw head and the whaler 200 so as tospread the load over a larger surface area. Similarly, a whaler 200 canbe attached to panel anchor member 400′ using a screw 438 and a washer440 and inserting the screw through a hole 441 in the whaler 200 andinto the hole in the end of the panel anchor member. A vertical wallstud (not shown) can be attached to the panel anchor members 400, 400′in the same manner. The whalers 200, 202 can be removed from the panelanchor members 400, 400′ by merely removing the screws 434, 438 andpulling the whalers away from the foam insulating panel 12. Thus, thepanel anchor members 400, 400′ provide a relatively easy way totemporarily attach and remove a whaler, such as the whalers 200, 202, orto permanently attach vertical wall studs.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show an alternate disclosed embodiment of the hybridinsulated concrete form 10. In FIG. 3, the foam insulating panel 12 isshown as the exterior component and the conventional removable concreteform 14 is the interior component. Thus, in FIG. 3 when the conventionalremovable concrete form 14 is removed, the concrete 390 forms theinterior wall surface and the foam insulating panel 12 forms theexterior wall surface. In FIG. 13, these components are reversed. InFIG. 13, the conventional removable concrete form 14 is shown as theexterior component and the foam insulating panel 12 is the interiorcomponent. Thus, in FIG. 13 when the conventional removable concreteform 14 is removed, the foam insulating panel 12 forms the interior wallsurface and the concrete 390 forms the exterior wall surface.

FIGS. 13 and 14 also disclose an alternate disclosed embodiment of thepanel anchor member 24. FIGS. 13 and 14 disclose a panel anchormember/locking cap assembly 450. The design of the panel anchormember/locking cap assembly 450 is disclosed in applicant's co-pendingpatent application Ser. No. 13/247,256 filed Sep. 29, 2011 (thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference). The panelanchor member/locking cap assembly 450 is preferably formed from apolymeric material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, glassfilled thermoplastics or the like. For particularly large or heavystructures, the panel anchor member/locking cap assembly 450 ispreferably formed from glass filled nylon. The panel anchormember/locking cap assembly 450 can be formed by any suitable process,such as by injection molding. Also, where structural loads are placedupon the panel anchor member/locking cap assembly, it can be made ofmetal, such as aluminum or steel, and by casting, molding or stamping.

Each panel anchor member/locking cap assembly 450 includes two separatepieces: a panel anchor member 452 and a locking cap 454. The panelanchor member 452 (FIG. 14) includes an elongate panel-penetratingportion 456 and an elongate concrete anchor portion 458. Thepanel-penetrating portion 456 can be any suitable cross-sectional shape,such as square, round, oval or the like, but in this embodiment is shownas having a generally plus sign (“+”) cross-sectional shape. Thepanel-penetrating portion 456 comprises four leg members 460, 462, 464(only three of which are shown in FIG. 14) extending outwardly from acentral core member. The plus sign (“+”) cross-sectional shape of thepanel-penetrating portion 456 prevents the panel anchor member 452 fromrotating around its longitudinal axis during concrete placement. Formedintermediate each end 466, 468 of the panel anchor member 452 is acentral flange 470 that extends radially outwardly from the leg members460-464. The central flange 470 can be any shape, such as square, ovalor the like, but in this embodiment is shown as having a round shape.The central flange 470 includes a generally flat foam insulating panelcontacting portion.

The concrete anchor portion 458 of the panel anchor member 452 comprisesfour outwardly extending leg members 472, 474, 476 (only three of whichare shown in FIG. 14). Formed at the end 468 of the concrete anchorportion 458 opposite the flange 470 is another flange 478 that extendsradially outwardly from the leg members 472-476. The flange 478 can beany suitable shape, such as square, oval or the like, but in thisembodiment is shown as circular. The flange 478 prevents the panelanchor member 452 from pulling out of the concrete after it is cured.

On each of the legs 460-464 adjacent the end 466 of the panel anchormember 452 is formed a plurality of teeth 480 (FIG. 14). The locking cap454 includes a panel-penetrating receiving portion and a circumferentialfoam insulating panel contacting portion. The locking cap 454 includes agenerally flat foam insulating panel contacting portion adjacent itscircumferential edge and a flat exterior surface. The central panelanchor member receiving portion defines an opening for receiving the end466 of the panel anchor member 452. The opening is sized and shaped suchthat the four legs 460-464 of the panel penetrating portion 456 will fitthrough the opening. Formed within the opening are four latch fingers(not shown). Each latch finder includes a plurality of teeth that aresized and shaped to mate with the teeth 480 on the four leg members472-476 of the panel anchor member 452. The latch fingers are designedso that they can move outwardly; i.e., toward the circumferentialportion, when the end 466 of the panel anchor member 452 is inserted inthe opening of the locking cap 454, but will tend to return to theiroriginal position due to the resiliency of the plastic material fromwhich they are made. Thus, as the end 466 of the panel anchor member 452is inserted into and through the opening in the locking cap 454, thelatch finger teeth will ride over the teeth 480. However, once the latchfinger teeth mate with the teeth 480, they prevent removal of the panelanchor member 452 from the locking cap 454. The latch finger teeth andthe teeth 480 therefore provide a one-way locking mechanism; i.e., thelocking cap 454 can be relatively easily inserted onto the panel anchormember 452, but once fully inserted, the locking cap is locked in placeand cannot be removed from the panel anchor member under normallyexpected forces.

The end 466 of the panel anchor member 452 also includes an optionalthird anchor portion 482. The third anchor portion 482 is constructed inthe same way as the end 50 of the panel anchor member 24 (FIG. 5).Alternatively, the end 466 of the panel anchor member 452 can include ahole (not shown) identical to the hole 432 in the panel anchor member400 (FIGS. 11 and 12). The third anchor portion 482 of the panel anchormember 450 latches with the key slots formed in the whalers 200-210 andwith vertical wall studs (not shown) in the same manner as the panelanchor member 24 as described herein.

FIGS. 15-19 show an alternate disclosed embodiment of the panel anchormember 24. FIGS. 15-19 show a panel anchor member 500. The panel anchormember 500 (FIG. 15) is preferably formed from a polymeric thermosettingor thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon,acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), glass filled thermoplastics orthermosetting plastics, such as vinyl ester fiberglass, or the like. Forparticularly large or heavy structures, the panel anchor member 500 ispreferably formed from glass filled or mineral fiber filledthermoplastics, such as nylon or metal. The panel anchor member 500 canbe formed by any suitable process, such as by casting, molding,injection molding, extrusion or pultrusion. Also, where structural loadsare placed upon the panel anchor members, they can be made of metal,such as aluminum or steel, and by casting, molding or stamping.

The panel anchor member 500 comprises an elongate body member 502. Theelongate body member 502 can be any suitable cross-sectional shape, suchas square, round, oval or the like, but in this embodiment is shown ashaving a generally plus sign (“+”) cross-sectional shape. The elongatebody member 502 comprises four leg members 504, 506, 508, 510 thatextend radially outwardly. The plus sign (“+”) cross-sectional shape ofthe elongate body member 502 prevents the panel anchor member 500 fromrotating around its longitudinal axis during concrete placement. Theelongate body member 502 has a first end 512 and an opposite second end514. Formed adjacent the first end 512 of the elongate body member 502is a first notch 516. The first notch 516 is formed in each of the fourleg members 504-510 adjacent the end 512 of the elongate body member502. The first notch 516 can be any shape, such as triangular, round,oval or the like, but in this embodiment is shown as having a generallyrectangular shape (FIGS. 15-16). The first notch 516 provides a portionof the elongate body member 502 that has an effectively reduced diameteror dimension for the concrete to key around it. Similarly, formedadjacent the second end 514 of the elongate body member 502 is a secondnotch 518. The second notch 518 is formed in each of the four legmembers 504-510 adjacent the end 514 of the elongate body member 502.The second notch 518 can be any shape, such as triangular, round, ovalor the like, but in this embodiment is shown as having a generallyrectangular shape (FIGS. 15-16). The second notch 518 provides a portionof the elongate body member 502 that has an effectively reduced diameteror dimension. The leg members 504, 508 include a U-shaped cutout 520adjacent the end 512 of the elongate body member 502. The U-shapedcutout 520 is designed and adapted to receive and hold a rebar or wiremesh for reinforcing the concrete in the concrete receiving space 17.Aligned rows of panel anchor members, such as the panel anchor members500, provide aligned rows of U-shaped cutouts 520 such that adjacentparallel rows of rebar, such as the rebar 62 of desired length can beattached to the rows of panel anchor members. Crossing columns of rebar,such as the rebar 64, can be laid on top of the rows of rebar, such asthe rebar 62, to form a conventional rebar grid. Where the rebar 62intersects the rebar 64, the two rebar can be tied together with wireties in a conventional manner known in the art.

The panel anchor member 500 is used in the same manner as the panelanchor members 24, 400. The panel anchor member 500 is inserted throughthe foam insulating panel 12 until the second notch 518 is flush withthe layer of reinforcing material 20 as shown in FIG. 18 (or the secondnotch 518 is flush with the outer surface 11 of the foam insulatingpanel 12 if the layer of reinforcing material 20 is not used). The panelanchor member 500 is then held in place by the whaler 202 which engagesthe second notch 518 with a key slot (not shown) in the same manner asdescribed above for the whaler 200 and the panel anchor member 24. Oncethe concrete 390 hardens, the end 512 of the panel anchor member 500 isembedded in the hardened concrete. The whaler 202 can then be removed.The second notch 518 can then be used for attaching a stud member (notshown) using a key slot (not shown) as described further below.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show an alternate disclosed embodiment of theconventional removable concrete form, such as the conventional removableconcrete form 14 shown in FIGS. 7-9. The alternate disclosed embodimentis an insulated removable concrete form 600 as disclosed in applicant'sco-pending application Ser. No. 13/626,103 filed Sep. 25, 2012 (thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety). The insulated removable concrete form 600 is identical to theconventional removable concrete form 14 shown in FIGS. 7-9, except forthe construction of the face panel 100. The alternate construction ofthe face panel 100 is shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. FIGS. 20 and 21 disclosean insulated concrete form 600 comprising a face or first panel 602 anda frame 603. The first panel 602 and frame 603 can be identical to theprior art face panel 100 and frame 106, as described above, andtherefore will not be described in any more detail here. The first panel602 has a first primary surface 604 for contacting plastic concrete andan opposite second primary surface 606. The insulated concrete form 600also comprises a second panel 608 identical, or substantially identical,to the first panel 602. The second panel 608 has a first primary surface610 and an opposite second primary surface 612. The first primarysurface 610 of the second panel 608 is adjacent the second primarysurface 606 of the first panel 602. Disposed between the first andsecond panels 602, 608 is a layer of insulating material 614. The layerof insulating material 614 covers, or substantially covers, the secondprimary surface 606 of the first panel 602 and/or the first primarysurface 610 of the second panel 608. As used herein the term“substantially covers” means covering at least 80% of the surface area.

The layer of insulating material 614 is preferably made from closed cellpolymeric foam including, but not limited to, polyvinyl chloride,urethane, polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, phenol, polyethylene,polyimide or polystyrene foam. Such foam preferably has a density of 1to 3 pounds per cubic foot, or more. The layer of insulating material614 preferably has insulating properties equivalent to at least 0.25inches of expanded polystyrene foam, equivalent to at least 0.5 inchesof expanded polystyrene foam, preferably equivalent to at least 1 inchof expanded polystyrene foam, more preferably equivalent to at least 2inches of expanded polystyrene foam, more preferably equivalent to atleast 3 inches of expanded polystyrene foam, most preferably equivalentto at least 4 inches of expanded polystyrene foam. There is no maximumthickness for the equivalent expanded polystyrene foam useful in thepresent invention. The maximum thickness is usually dictated byeconomics, ease of handling and building or structure design. However,for most applications a maximum insulating equivalence of 8 inches ofexpanded polystyrene foam can be used. In another embodiment of thepresent invention, the layer of insulating material 614 has insulatingproperties equivalent to approximately 0.25 to approximately 8 inches ofexpanded polystyrene foam, preferably approximately 0.5 to approximately8 inches of expanded polystyrene foam, preferably approximately 1 toapproximately 8 inches of expanded polystyrene foam, preferablyapproximately 2 to approximately 8 inches of expanded polystyrene foam,more preferably approximately 3 to approximately 8 inches of expandedpolystyrene foam, most preferably approximately 4 to approximately 8inches of expanded polystyrene foam. These ranges for the equivalentinsulating properties include all of the intermediate values. Thus, thelayer of insulating material 614 used in another disclosed embodiment ofthe present invention has insulating properties equivalent toapproximately 0.25 inches of expanded polystyrene foam, approximately0.5 inches of expanded polystyrene foam, approximately 1 inch ofexpanded polystyrene foam, approximately 2 inches of expandedpolystyrene foam, approximately 3 inches of expanded polystyrene foam,approximately 4 inches of expanded polystyrene foam, approximately 5inches of expanded polystyrene foam, approximately 6 inches of expandedpolystyrene foam, approximately 7 inches of expanded polystyrene foam,or approximately 8 inches of expanded polystyrene foam. Expandedpolystyrene foam has an R-value of approximately 4 to 6 per inchthickness. Therefore, the layer of insulating material 614 should havean R-value of greater than 1.5, preferably greater than 4, morepreferably greater than 8, especially greater than 12, most especiallygreater than 20. The layer of insulating material 614 preferably has anR-value of approximately 1.5 to approximately 40; more preferablybetween approximately 4 to approximately 40; especially approximately 8to approximately 40; more especially approximately 12 to approximately40. The layer of insulating material 614 preferably has an R-value ofapproximately 1.5, more preferably approximately 4, most preferablyapproximately 8, especially approximately 20, more especiallyapproximately 30, most especially approximately 40.

For the insulated concrete form 600, the layer of insulating material614 can also be made from a refractory insulating material, such as arefractory blanket, a refractory board or a refractory felt or paper.Refractory insulation is typically used to line high temperaturefurnaces or to insulate high temperature pipes. Refractory insulatingmaterial is typically made from ceramic fibers made from materialsincluding, but not limited to, silica, silicon carbide, alumina,aluminum silicate, aluminum oxide, zirconia, calcium silicate; glassfibers, mineral wool fibers, Wollastonite and fireclay. Refractoryinsulating material is commercially available in various formsincluding, but not limited to, bulk fiber, foam, blanket, board, feltand paper form. Refractory insulation is commercially available inblanket form as Fiberfrax Durablanket® insulation blanket from Unifrax ILLC, Niagara Falls, N.Y., USA and RSI4-Blank and RSI8-Blank fromRefractory Specialties Incorporated, Sebring, Ohio, USA. Refractoryinsulation is commercially available in board form as Duraboard® fromUnifrax I LLC, Niagara Falls, N.Y., USA and CS85, Marinite and Transiteboards from BNZ Materials Inc., Littleton, Colo., USA. Refractoryinsulation in felt form is commercially available as Fibrax Felts andFibrax Papers from Unifrax I LLC, Niagara Falls. The refractoryinsulating material can be any thickness that provides the desiredinsulating properties, as set forth above. There is no upper limit onthe thickness of the refractory insulating material; this is usuallydictated by economics. However, refractory insulating material useful inthe present invention can range from 1/32 inch to approximately 2inches. Similarly, ceramic fiber materials including, but not limitedto, silica, silicon carbide, alumina, aluminum silicate, aluminum oxide,zirconia, calcium silicate; glass fibers, mineral wool fibers,Wollastonite and fireclay, can be suspended in a polymer, such aspolyurethane, latex, cement or epoxy, and used as a coating to create arefractory insulating material layer, for example covering, orsubstantially covering, one of the primary surfaces 606, 610 of thefirst or second panels 602, 608, or both. Such a refractory insulatingmaterial layer can be used as the layer of insulating material 614 toblock excessive ambient heat loads and retain the heat of hydration ofplastic concrete within the insulated concrete forms of the presentinvention. Ceramic fibers in a polymer or epoxy binder are commerciallyavailable as Super Therm®, Epoxotherm and HPC Coating from SuperiorProducts, II, Inc., Weston, Fla., USA. Especially ceramic fibers can besuspended in polyurethane foam to create a coating, such as the SuperTherm®. It is also contemplated that the layer of insulating material614 can be a combination of at least one layer of closed cell polymericfoam, such as polystyrene foam, and at least one layer of refractoryinsulating material, such as a layer of ceramic fibers in a polymerbinder. As used herein, the term “refractor material” and “ceramicfibers” is specifically intended to exclude asbestos.

The removable insulated concrete form 600 is used in the same manner asthe conventional removable concrete form 14 described above. Theremovable insulated concrete form 600 is left in place for a timesufficient for the plastic concrete within the hybrid concrete form 10to at least partially cure. While the removable insulated concrete form600 is in place, the layer of insulating material 614 and the foaminsulating panel 12 reduce the amount of the heat of hydration lost fromthe curing concrete to the surrounding environment. By retaining atleast a portion of the heat of hydration, the plastic concrete in thehybrid insulated concrete form 10 with the removable insulated concreteform 600 cures more quickly and achieves better physical properties thanit would have had it been cured in two conventional removable concreteforms. This is true for conventional portland cement concrete, but iseven more so for concrete including portland cement and slag cementand/or fly ash, as described below. Furthermore, it is desirable toleave the removable insulated concrete form 600 in place for a period of1 to 28 days, preferably 1 to 14 days, more preferably 2 to 14 days,especially 5 to 14 days, more especially 1 to 7 days, most especially 1to 3 days. After the concrete 390 has cured to a desired degree, theremovable insulated concrete form 600 can be stripped from the concretein the manner described herein.

FIGS. 22-24 show an alternate disclosed embodiment of the conventionalremovable concrete form, such as the conventional removable concreteform 14 shown in FIGS. 7-9. The alternate disclosed embodiment is anelectrically heated removable concrete form as disclosed in applicant'sco-pending application Ser. No. 13/626,075 filed Sep. 25, 2012 (thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety). FIGS. 22-24 disclose an electrically heated removableconcrete form 700. The electrically heated removable concrete form 700comprises a rectangular concrete forming panel 702 identical to the facepanel 100; however the concrete forming panel 702 is made from a heatconducting material, such as aluminum or steel. Most prior art concreteforms use wood, plywood, wood composite materials, or wood or compositematerials with polymer coatings for the concrete forming panel of theirconcrete forms. Although wood, plywood, wood composite materials, orwood or composite materials with polymer coatings are not very goodconductors of heat, they do conduct some heat. Therefore, wood, plywood,wood composite materials, and wood or composite materials with polymercoatings are considered useful materials from which to make the concreteforming panel 702, although they are not preferred. The concrete formingpanel 702 has a first surface 704 for contacting plastic concrete and anopposite second surface 706. The first surface 704 is usually smooth andflat. However, the first surface 704 can also be contoured so as to forma desired design in the concrete, such as a brick or stone pattern.

On the second surface 706 of the panel 702 is an electric resistanceheating ribbon, tape or wire 708. The electric resistance heating wire708 produces heat when an electric current is passed through the wire.Electric resistance heating ribbons, tapes or wires are known in the artand are the same type as used in electric blankets and other electricheating devices. The electric resistance heating wire 708 iselectrically insulated so that it will not make electrical contact withthe panel 702. However, the electric resistance heating wire 708 is inthermal contact with the panel 702 so that when an electric current ispassed through the electric resistance heating wire 708, it heats thepanel. The electric resistance heating wire 708 is placed in aserpentine path on the second surface 706 of the panel 702 so that thepanel is heated uniformly. Holes (not shown) are provided in the bracingmembers 116-132 so that the electric resistance heating wire 708 canpass there through. The electric resistance heating wire 708 is of atype and the amount of wire in contact with the panel 702 is selected sothat the electric resistance heating wire will heat the panel to atemperature at least as high as the desired temperature of the concrete.The electrically heated removable concrete form 700 can also be used toaccelerate the curing of concrete, as described herein. Therefore, it isdesirable that the panel 702 be able to be heated by the electricresistance heating wire 708 to temperatures sufficient to accelerate thecuring of the concrete, such as at least as high as 70° C.

Also, optionally disposed on the second surface 706 of the panel 702 isa layer of insulating material 710. The layer of insulating material 710is preferably a closed cell polymeric foam, such as expandedpolystyrene, polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, and the like. The layer ofinsulating material 710 has insulating properties equivalent to at least0.25 inches of expanded polystyrene foam; preferably equivalent to atleast 0.5 inch of expanded polystyrene foam, more preferably equivalentto at least 1 inch of expanded polystyrene foam, most preferablyequivalent to at least 2 inches of expanded polystyrene foam, especiallyequivalent to at least 3 inches of expanded polystyrene foam, moreespecially equivalent to at least 4 inches of expanded polystyrene foam.The layer of insulating material 710 can have insulating propertiesequivalent to approximately 0.25 inches to approximately 8 inches ofexpanded polystyrene foam. The layer of insulating material 710 can haveinsulating properties equivalent to approximately 0.25 inches,approximately 0.5 inches, approximately 1 inch, approximately 2 inches,approximately 3 inches or approximately 4 inches of expanded polystyrenefoam. The layer of insulating material 710 can have an R-value ofgreater than 1.5, preferably greater than 2.5, more preferably greaterthan 5, most preferably greater than 10, especially greater than 15,more especially greater than 20. The layer of insulating material 710preferably has an R-value of approximately 2.5 to approximately 40; morepreferably between approximately 10 to approximately 40; especiallyapproximately 15 to approximately 40; more especially approximately 20to approximately 40. The layer of insulating material 710 preferably hasan R-value of approximately 2.5, preferably approximately 5, morepreferably approximately 10, most preferably approximately 15,especially approximately 20.

The layer of insulating material 710 is positioned between the bracingmembers 108-140 and such that the electric resistance heating wire 708is positioned between the layer of insulating material and the secondsurface 706 of the panel 702. Optionally, the surface of the layer ofinsulating material 710 adjacent the second surface 706 of the panel 702includes a layer of radiant heat reflective material 712, such as ametal foil, especially aluminum foil. The layer of radiant heatreflective material 712 helps direct the heat from the electricresistance heating wire 708 toward the panel 702. A preferred radiantheat reflective material is a metalized polymeric film, more preferably,metalized biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate film, especiallyaluminized biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate film.Alternately, the layer of heat reflective material 712 can be positionedon the side of the layer of insulating material 710 opposite theelectric resistance heating wire 708 or within the layer of insulatingmaterial. The layer of insulating material 710 can be preformed andaffixed in place on the second surface 706 of the panel 702, or thelayer of insulating material can be formed in situ, such as by sprayinga foamed or self-foaming polymeric material into the cavity formed bythe second surface of the panel and adjacent the frame bracing members108-140. Another preferred material for the layer of insulating material710 is metalized plastic bubble pack type insulating material ormetalized closed cell polymeric foam. Such material is commerciallyavailable as Space Age® reflective insulation from Insulation Solutions,Inc., East Peoria, Ill. 61611. The Space Age® product is available astwo layers of polyethylene air bubble pack sandwiched between one layerof white polyethylene and one layer of reflective foil; two layers airbubble pack sandwiched between two layers of reflective foil; or a layerof closed cell polymeric foam (such as high density polyethylene foam)disposed between one layer of polyethylene film and one layer ofreflective foil. All three of these Space Age® product configurationsare useful in the present invention for the radiant heat reflectivematerial 712.

A preferred construction is to apply a first layer of insulatingmaterial 710 over the electric resistance heating wire 708 and secondsurface 706 of the panel 702 followed by a 1 mil sheet of aluminizedMylar® film, followed by another layer of foam insulating material. Thealuminized Mylar® film is thus sandwiched between two layers of foaminsulating material, such as expanded polystyrene foam, and thesandwiched insulation is then placed on top of the electric resistanceheating wire 708 and second surface 706 of the panel 702. Morepreferably, the first layer of the sandwich described above covers theelectric resistance heating wire 708 and the second surface 706 of thepanel 702 between the bracing members 108-140 and the aluminized Mylar®film and the second layer of insulating material covers the first layerof insulating material and the bracing members. This constructionprovides a layer of insulation on the bracing members 108-140 andprevents them from thermally bridging the panel 702.

For the electrically heated removable concrete form 700, the layer ofinsulating material 710 can also be made from a refractory insulatingmaterial, such as a refractory blanket, a refractory board or arefractory felt or paper. Refractory insulation is typically used toline high temperature furnaces or to insulate high temperature pipes.

Refractory insulating material is typically made from ceramic fibersmade from materials including, but not limited to, silica, siliconcarbide, alumina, aluminum silicate, aluminum oxide, zirconia, calciumsilicate; glass fibers, mineral wool fibers, Wollastonite and fireclay.Refractory insulating material is commercially available in variousforms including, but not limited to, bulk fiber, foam, blanket, board,felt and paper form. Refractory insulation is commercially available inblanket form as Fiberfrax Durablanket® insulation blanket from Unifrax ILLC, Niagara Falls, N.Y., USA and RSI4-Blank and RSI8-Blank fromRefractory Specialties Incorporated, Sebring, Ohio, USA. Refractoryinsulation is commercially available in board form as Duraboard® fromUnifrax I LLC, Niagara Falls, N.Y., USA and CS85, Marinite and Transiteboards from BNZ Materials Inc., Littleton, Colo., USA. Refractoryinsulation in felt form is commercially available as Fibrax Felts andFibrax Papers from Unifrax I LLC, Niagara Falls. The refractoryinsulating material can be any thickness that provides the desiredinsulating properties, as set forth above. There is no upper limit onthe thickness of the refractory insulating material; this is usuallydictated by economics. However, refractory insulating material useful inthe present invention can range from 1/32 inch to approximately 2inches. Similarly, ceramic fiber materials including, but not limitedto, silica, silicon carbide, alumina, aluminum silicate, aluminum oxide,zirconia, calcium silicate; glass fibers, mineral wool fibers,Wollastonite and fireclay, can be suspended in a polymer, such aspolyurethane, latex, cement or epoxy, and used as a coating to create arefractory insulating material layer as the layer of insulating material710 to block excessive ambient heat loads and retain the heat ofhydration within the hybrid insulated concrete form of the presentinvention. Ceramic fibers in a polymer or epoxy binder are commerciallyavailable as Super Therm®, Epoxotherm and HPC Coating from SuperiorProducts, II, Inc., Weston, Fla., USA. Especially ceramic fibers can besuspended in polyurethane foam to create a coating such as the SuperTherm. It is also contemplated that the layer of insulating material 710can be a combination of at least one layer of closed cell polymericfoam, such as polystyrene foam, and at least one layer of refractoryinsulating material, such as a layer of ceramic fibers in a polymerbinder. As used herein, the term “refractor material” and “ceramicfibers” is specifically intended to exclude asbestos.

The electrically heated removable concrete form 700 is used incombination with the foam insulating panel 12 in the same manner as theconventional removable concrete form 14, as described above. However,after plastic concrete is placed in the hybrid insulated concrete form10, the electric resistance heating wire 708 is energized so as to heatthe panel 702 to a desired temperature. When greater control of thetemperature of the electrically heated removable concrete form 700 isdesired, a temperature sensor 714 is optionally placed in thermalcontact with the second surface 706 of the panel 702. The temperaturesensor 714 is connected to a computing device (not shown) by an electriccircuit, such as by the wires 716. The temperature sensor 714 is inthermal contact with the second surface 706 of the panel 702 (FIG. 22).The temperature sensor 714 allows the computing device to continuously,or periodically, read and store the temperature of the panel 702.

The electrically heated removable concrete form 700 can be operated inseveral different modes. These modes of operation are disclosed inapplicant's co-pending application Ser. No. 13/626,075 filed Sep. 25,2012 (the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety). In a first mode of operation, the electric resistance heatingwire 708 is operated in an on/off mode. In this mode, a constant amountof electricity is provided to the electric resistance heating wire 708so that a constant amount of heat is provided to the panel 702. Thus, anoperator can turn the heat on and turn the heat off or this can be doneautomatically by a suitable controller. For this mode of operation, nocomputing device and no temperature sensors are required; a simplecontroller with an on/off switch will suffice.

In the next mode of operation, various fixed amounts of electricity areprovided to the electric resistance heating wire 708, such as a lowamount, a medium amount and a high amount. This can be done by providinga different voltage to the electric resistance heating wire 708 or bychanging the amount of time that the electric resistance heating wire isenergized in the electrically heated removable concrete form 700. Thus,an operator can select one of several predetermined amounts of heatprovided to the panel 702. For this mode of operation, no computingdevice and no temperature sensors are required; a simple controller witha selector switch will suffice. The next mode of operation is for thepanel 702 to be held at a constant desired temperature. For this mode ofoperation, a computing device (not shown) is programmed to perform theprocess disclosed in applicant's co-pending application Ser. No.13/626,075 filed Sep. 25, 2012 (the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety).

The next mode of operation is for the computing device to control theamount of heat provided by the electric resistance heating wire 708 sothat the temperature of the curing concrete within the form matches adesired temperature profile over time. For this mode of operation, acomputing device (not shown) is programmed to perform the processdisclosed in applicant's co-pending application Ser. No. 13/626,075filed Sep. 25, 2012 (the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety).

As used herein the term “temperature profile” includes increasing theconcrete temperature above ambient temperature over a period of timefollowed by decreasing the concrete temperature over a period of time,preferably to ambient temperature, wherein the slope of a line plottingtemperature versus time during the temperature increase phase is greaterthan the absolute value of the slope of a line plotting temperatureversus time during the temperature decrease phase. Furthermore, theabsolute value of the slope of a line plotting temperature versus timeduring the temperature decrease phase of the temperature profile in aconcrete form in accordance with the present invention is less than theabsolute value of the slope of a line plotting temperature versus timeif all added heat were stopped and the concrete were simply allowed tocool in a conventional concrete form; i.e., an uninsulated concreteform, under the same conditions.

The term “temperature profile” includes the specific ranges oftemperature increase and ranges of temperature decrease over ranges oftime as follows. The temperature of the concrete initially increasesquite rapidly over a relatively short time, such as 1 to 3 days. After aperiod of time, the concrete temperature reaches a maximum and thenslowly drops to ambient temperature over an extended period, such as 1to 7 days, preferably 1 to 14 days, more preferably 1 to 28 days,especially 3 to 5 days or more especially 5 to 7 days. The maximumtemperature will vary depending on the composition of the concrete mix.However, it is desirable that the maximum temperature is at least 35°C., preferably, at least 40° C., at least 45° C., at least 50° C., atleast 55° C., at least 60° C. or at least 65° C. The maximum concretetemperature should not exceed about 70° C. The maximum concretetemperature is preferably about 70° C., about 69° C., about 68° C.,about 67° C., about 66° C., about 65° C., about 64° C., about 63° C.,about 62° C., about 61° C. about 60° C. or about 60 to about 70° C.Furthermore, it is desirable that the temperature of the concrete ismaintained above approximately 30° C., approximately 35° C.,approximately 40° C., approximately 45° C., approximately 50° C.,approximately 55° C. or approximately 60° C. for 1 to approximately 4days from the time of concrete placement, preferably 1 to approximately3 days from the time of concrete placement, more preferably about 24 toabout 48 hours from the time of concrete placement. It is also desirablethat the temperature of the concrete is maintained above approximately30° C. for 1 to approximately 7 days from the time of concreteplacement, preferably above approximately 35° C. for 1 to approximately7 days from the time of concrete placement, more preferably aboveapproximately 40° C. for 1 to approximately 7 days from the time ofconcrete placement, most preferably above approximately 45° C. for 1 toapproximately 7 days from the time of concrete placement. It is alsodesirable that the temperature of the concrete be maintained aboveambient temperature for 1 to approximately 3 days from the time ofconcrete placement; 1 to approximately 5 days from the time of concreteplacement, for 1 to approximately 7 days from the time of concreteplacement, for 1 to approximately 14 days from the time of concreteplacement, preferably approximately 3 to approximately 14 days from thetime of concrete placement, especially approximately 7 to approximately14 days from the time of concrete placement. It is also desirable thatthe temperature of the concrete be maintained above ambient temperaturefor approximately 3 days, approximately 5 days, approximately 7 days orapproximately 14 days from the time of concrete placement. It is furtherdesirable that the temperature of the concrete be reduced from themaximum temperature to ambient temperature gradually, such as inincrements of approximately 0.5 to approximately 5° C. per day,preferably approximately 1 to approximately 2° C. per day, especiallyapproximately 1° C. per day.

The term “temperature profile” includes increasing the temperature ofcuring concrete in the concrete form of the present invention to amaximum temperature at least 10% greater than the maximum temperaturethe same concrete mix would have reached in a conventional (i.e.,non-insulated) concrete form or mold of the same configuration. The term“temperature profile” also includes reducing the temperature of curingconcrete in a concrete form or mold from its maximum temperature at arate slower than the rate the same concrete mix would reduce from itsmaximum temperature in a conventional (i.e., non-insulated) concreteform or mold of the same configuration. The principle behind concretematurity is the relationship between strength, time, and temperature inyoung concrete. Maturity is a powerful and accurate means to predictearly strength gain. Concrete maturity is measured as “equivalent age”and is given in temperature degrees×hours (either ° C.-Hrs or ° F.-Hrs).The term “temperature profile” includes controlling the temperature ofcuring concrete by first retaining the heat of hydration and selectivelyadding heat so that at 3 days it has a concrete maturity or equivalentage at least 25% greater than the same concrete mix would have in aconventional (i.e., non-insulated) concrete form or mold of the sameconfiguration under the same conditions; preferably at least 30%greater, more preferably at least 35% greater, most preferably at least40% greater, especially at least 45% greater, more especially at least50% greater. The term “temperature profile” includes controlling thetemperature of curing concrete by first retaining the heat of hydrationand selectively adding heat so that at 3 days it has a concrete maturityor equivalent age about 70% greater than the same concrete mix wouldhave when cured in accordance with ASTM C-39; preferably at least 75%greater, more preferably at least 80% greater, most preferably at least85% greater, especially at least 90% greater, more especially at least95% greater, most especially at least 100% greater. The term“temperature profile” includes controlling the temperature of curingconcrete by first retaining the heat of hydration and selectively addingheat so that at 7 days it has a concrete maturity or equivalent ageabout 70% greater than the same concrete mix would have when cured inaccordance with ASTM C-39; preferably at least 75% greater, morepreferably at least 80% greater, most preferably at least 85% greater,especially at least 90% greater, more especially at least 95% greater,most especially at least 100% greater. The term “temperature profile”specifically does not include adding a constant amount of heat to theconcrete followed by stopping adding heat to the concrete, such as wouldbe involved when turning an electrically heated blanket or heatedconcrete form on and then turning the heated blanket or heated concreteform off.

FIGS. 25-28 show a foam insulating panel joint reinforcement 800. FIGS.25 and 26 show the joint reinforcement 800 comprises an elongaterectangular joint plate 802. The joint plate 802 is made from a rigidmaterial, such as aluminum, steel, a rigid polymer or a compositematerial, such as carbon fibers in a polymer. The joint plate 802 can bemade by rolling, stamping or extrusion and then cut to a desired length.The joint plate 802 has a first primary surface 804 and an oppositesecond primary surface 806. Formed on the first primary surface 804 arefour longitudinal reinforcing ribs 808, 810, 812, 814. The rib 808 isformed on a first longitudinal edge 816 of the joint plate 802; the rib814 is formed on a second longitudinal edge 818 of the joint plate. Theribs 808-814 increase the flexural strength of the joint plate 802.Formed on the second primary surface 806 of the joint plate 802intermediate the longitudinal edges 816, 818 is a central longitudinalridge 820. On the first longitudinal edge 816 are a plurality of teeth,such as the teeth 822, 824, 826, 828, extending outwardly from thesecond surface 806 and longitudinally spaced from each other atintervals along the length of the first longitudinal edge. On the secondlongitudinal edge 818 are a plurality of teeth, such as the teeth 830,832, 834, 836, extending outwardly from the second surface 806 andlongitudinally spaced from each other at intervals along the length ofthe second longitudinal edge.

FIGS. 1, 2, 27 and 28 show the use of the joint reinforcement 800. Whenerecting the hybrid insulated concrete form 10, the joint plate 802 ispositioned between adjoining foam insulating panels 12, 16. Between thefoam insulating panels 12, 16 is a vertical joint, such as the shiplapjoint 840. The joint plate 802 is positioned so that the second primarysurface 806 faces and contacts the outer surface 11 of the foaminsulating panels 12, 16 and the ridge 820 is positioned over theshiplap joint 840. The joint plate 802 is pushed toward the foaminsulating panels 12, 16 so that the teeth 830-836 penetrate the layerof reinforcing material 20, if present, and into the foam insulatingpanel 12 and the teeth 822-828 penetrate the layer of reinforcingmaterial 22, if present, and into the foam insulating panel 16. Thewhalers 200-210 are then positioned over the joint plate 802; i.e., thejoint plate 802 is disposed between the whaler 202 and the surface 11 ofthe foam insulating panels 12, 16, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 27 and 28.When the whalers 200-210 are attached to the panel anchor members, suchas the panel anchor members 24, 24′″, the whalers contact the ribs808-814 of the joint plate 802 and press it toward the foam insulatingpanels 12, 16. When plastic concrete is placed in the hybrid insulatedconcrete form 10, the hydrostatic pressure will push outwardly on thefoam insulating panels 12, 16. Thus, the joint plate 802 resists theoutward movement of the foam insulating panels 12, 16 due to thehydrostatic pressure of the plastic concrete in the concrete receivingspace 17. The joint 840 formed by the shiplap connection between thefoam insulating panels 12, 16 is weaker than the foam panels themselves,especially when the layers of reinforcing material 20, 22 are used. Thehydrostatic pressure of the plastic concrete can be so great that itcould open up the shiplap joint 840 between the whalers and cause formfailure. The joint plate 802 provides reinforcement between the whalers200-210 by transferring the fluid pressure load or stresses from thefoam insulating panels 12, 16 in the area between the whalers to thehorizontal whalers. The teeth 830-836 and 822-828 lock into the layersof reinforcing material 20, 22 disposed on the face 11 of the foaminsulating panels 12, 16, if used, or into the foam insulating panelsthemselves if the layers of reinforcing material are not used, therebybridging the two foam insulating panels into one assembly. The jointplate 802 significantly increases the pressure rating of the foaminsulating panels 12, 16 to be equivalent in strength to that ofconventional removable concrete forms.

Corners are a particularly weak area in concrete forms. Insultedconcrete form corners are particularly weak and prone to blowouts.Therefore, corners require reinforcement especially in the foaminsulating panels of the present invention. FIGS. 30-35 show a foaminsulating panel corner joint reinforcement 900. FIGS. 30 and 31 showthe corner joint reinforcement 900 comprises a first elongaterectangular joint plate 902 and a second elongate rectangular jointplate 904. The joint plates 902, 904 are each made from a rigidmaterial, such as aluminum, steel, a rigid polymer or a compositematerial, such as carbon fibers in a polymer. The joint plates 902, 904each can be made by extrusion and then cut to a desired length. Thefirst joint plate 902 has a first primary surface 906 and an oppositesecond primary surface 908; the second joint plate 904 has a firstprimary surface 910 and an opposite second primary surface 912. Formedon the first primary surface 906 of the first joint plate 902 are fivelongitudinal reinforcing ribs 914, 916, 918, 920, 922. The rib 914 isformed on a first longitudinal edge 924 of the first joint plate 902;the rib 922 is formed on a second longitudinal edge 926 of the firstjoint plate 902. Formed on the first primary surface 906 of the secondjoint plate 904 are five longitudinal reinforcing ribs 928, 930, 932,934, 936. The rib 928 is formed on a first longitudinal edge 938 of thesecond joint plate 904; the rib 936 is formed on a second longitudinaledge 940 of the second joint plate 904. The first joint plate 902 ispivotably joined to the second joint plate 904 at the longitudinal edges926, 940, respectively, by a hinge, such as an elongate piano hinge 942.On the first longitudinal edge 924 of the first joint plate 902 are aplurality of teeth 944, 946, 948, 950 extending outwardly from thesecond primary surface 908 and longitudinally spaced from each other atintervals along the length of the first longitudinal edge. On the firstlongitudinal edge 938 of the second plate 904 are a plurality of teeth952, 954, 956, 958 extending outwardly from the second surface 912 andlongitudinally spaced from each other at intervals along the length ofthe first longitudinal edge.

FIG. 32 shows the use of the corner joint reinforcement 900 on anoutside corner. When erecting the hybrid insulated concrete form 10, thejoint plate 902 is positioned between adjoining outside corner-formingfoam insulating panels 960, 962. The foam insulating panels 960, 962form a miter joint 964 or a butt joint (not shown). The corner jointplates 902, 904 are positioned so that the second primary surfaces 908,912 face the outer surfaces 966, 968 of the foam insulating panels 960,962, respectively, and the piano hinge 942 is positioned on the miterjoint 964. The corner joint plates 902, 904 are pushed toward the foaminsulating panels 960, 962 so that the teeth 952-958 penetrate the layerof reinforcing material 966, if present, into the foam insulating panel960 and the teeth 944-950 penetrate the layer of reinforcing material968, if present, into the foam insulating panel 962. U-shaped whalersidentical to the whalers 200-210, such as the whalers 974, 976, are thenpositioned over the corner joint plates 902, 904; i.e., the joint plate904 is disposed between the whaler 974 and the surface 966 of the foaminsulating panel 960 and the joint plate 902 is disposed between thewhaler 976 and the surface 968 of the foam insulating panel 962, asshown in FIG. 32. I-beam shaped whalers identical to the whalers 220,222 can be used instead of the U-shaped whalers, such as the whalers974, 976. When the whalers 974, 976 are attached to panel anchormembers, such as the panel anchor members 24, 24′, the whalers contactthe ribs 914-922 of the first joint plate 902 and the ribs 928-936 ofthe second joint plate 904 and press them toward the foam insulatingpanels 960, 962, respectively. When plastic concrete is placed in theconcrete receiving space 17 of the hybrid insulated concrete form 10,the hydrostatic pressure pushes outwardly on the foam insulating panels960, 962. The corner joint plates 902, 904 resist the outward movementof the foam insulating panels 960, 962 due to this hydrostatic pressureof the plastic concrete in the concrete receiving space 17.

FIG. 33 shows the use of the corner joint reinforcement 900 on an insidecorner. When erecting the hybrid insulated concrete form 10, the cornerjoint reinforcement 900 is positioned between adjoining insidecorner-forming foam insulating panels 980, 982. The foam insulatingpanels 980, 982 form a miter joint 984 or a butt joint (not shown). Thecorner joint plates 902, 904 are positioned so that the second primarysurfaces 908, 912 face the outer surfaces 986, 988 of the foaminsulating panels 980, 982, respectively, and the piano hinge 942 ispositioned on the miter joint 984. The corner joint plates 902, 904 arepushed toward the foam insulating panels 980, 982 so that the teeth944-950 penetrate the layer of reinforcing material 990, if present,into the foam insulating panel 980 and the teeth 952-958 penetrate thelayer of reinforcing material 992, if present, into the foam insulatingpanel 982. U-shaped whalers identical to the whalers 200-210, such asthe whalers 994, 996, are then positioned over the corner joint plates902, 904; i.e., the joint plate 902 is disposed between the whaler 994and the surface 986 of the foam insulating panel 980 and the joint plate904 is disposed between the whaler 996 and the surface 988 of the foaminsulating panel 982, as shown in FIG. 33. When the whalers 994, 996 areattached to the panel anchor members, such as the panel anchor members24, 24′, the whalers contact the ribs 914-922 of the first joint plate902 and the ribs 928-936 of the second joint plate 904 and press themtoward the foam insulating panels 980, 982, respectively. When plasticconcrete is placed in the hybrid insulated concrete form 10, thehydrostatic pressure pushes outwardly on the foam insulating panels 980,982. The corner joint plates 902, 904 resists the outward movement ofthe foam insulating panels 980, 982 due to this hydrostatic pressure ofthe plastic concrete in the concrete receiving space 17. The cornerjoint reinforcement 900 provides reinforcement between the whalers bytransferring the fluid pressure from the corner foam panels 980, 982 inthe area between the whalers to the horizontal whalers 994, 996. Theteeth 944-958 lock into the layer of reinforcing material 990, 992disposed on the face of the foam insulating panels, if present, and intothe foam insulating panels 980, 982 thereby bridging the two foaminsulating panels from one plane into the other by creating oneassembly. The corner joint reinforcement 900 significantly increases thepressure rating of the foam insulating panels 980, 982 to be equivalentto conventional removable concrete forms.

FIG. 34 shows the use of the corner joint reinforcement 900 on anoutside corner of an alternate disclosed embodiment of the hybridinsulated concrete form 10. When erecting the hybrid insulated concreteform 10, the corner joint reinforcement 900 is positioned betweenadjoining outside corner-forming foam insulating panels 960, 962. Thefoam insulating panels 960, 962 form a miter joint 964 or a butt joint(not shown). The corner joint plates 902, 904 are positioned so that thesecond primary surfaces 908, 912 face the outer surfaces 966, 968 of thefoam insulating panels 960, 962 and the piano hinge 942 is positioned onthe miter joint 964. The corner joint plates 902, 904 are pushed towardthe foam insulating panels 960, 962 so that the teeth 952-958 penetratethe layer of reinforcing material 966, if present, into the foaminsulating panel 960 and the teeth 944-950 penetrate the layer ofreinforcing material 968, if present, into the foam insulating panel962. U-shaped whalers identical to the whalers 200-210, such as thewhalers 974, 976, are then positioned over the corner joint plates 902,904; i.e., the joint plate 904 is disposed between the whaler 974 andthe surface 966 of the foam insulating panel 960 and the joint plate 902is disposed between the whaler 976 and the surface 968 of the foaminsulating panel 962, as shown in FIG. 34. When the whalers 974, 976 areattached to the panel anchor members, such as the panel anchor members400, 400″, the whalers contact the ribs 914-922 of the first joint plate902 and the ribs 928-936 of the second joint plate 904 and press themtoward the foam insulating panels 960, 962, respectively. When plasticconcrete is placed in the hybrid insulated concrete form 10, thehydrostatic pressure pushes outwardly on the foam insulating panels 960,962. The corner joint plates 902, 904 resist the outward movement of thefoam insulating panels 960, 962 due to this hydrostatic pressure of theplastic concrete in the concrete receiving space 17.

FIG. 35 shows the use of the corner joint reinforcement 900 on an insidecorner. When erecting the hybrid insulated concrete form 10, the cornerjoint reinforcement 900 is positioned between adjoining insidecorner-forming foam insulating panels 980, 982. The foam insulatingpanels 980, 982 form a miter joint 984 or a butt joint (not shown). Thecorner joint plates 902, 904 are positioned so that the second primarysurfaces 908, 912 face the outer surfaces 986, 988 of the foaminsulating panels 980, 982, respectively, and the piano hinge 942 ispositioned on the miter joint 984. The corner joint plates 902, 904 arepushed toward the foam insulating panels 980, 982 so that the teeth944-950 penetrate the layer of reinforcing material 990, if present,into the foam insulating panel 980 and the teeth 952-958 penetrate thelayer of reinforcing material 992, if present, into the foam insulatingpanel 982. U-shaped whalers identical to the whalers 200-210, such asthe whalers 994, 996, are then positioned over the corner joint plates902, 904; i.e., the joint plate 902 is disposed between the whaler 994and the surface 986 of the foam insulating panel 980 and the joint plate904 is disposed between the whaler 996 and the surface 988 of the foaminsulating panel 982, as shown in FIG. 35. When the whalers 994, 996 areattached to the panel anchor members, such as the panel anchor members400, 400″, the whalers contact the ribs 914-922 of the first joint plate902 and the ribs 928-936 of the second joint plate 904 and press themtoward the foam insulating panels 980, 982, respectively. When plasticconcrete is placed in the hybrid insulated concrete form 10, thehydrostatic pressure pushes outwardly on the foam insulating panels 980,982. The corner joint plates 902, 904 resists the outward movement ofthe foam insulating panels 980, 982 due to this hydrostatic pressure ofthe plastic concrete in the concrete receiving space 17.

FIG. 36-38 show a brick tie 1000 for use with the present invention. Thebrick tie 1000 comprises a rigid rectangular plate 1002. The plate 1002can be made from are suitably rigid material, such as steel, aluminum orcomposite materials. Formed in the plate 1002 is a key-shaped opening orkey slot 1004; i.e., the lateral dimension at 1006 is narrower than thelateral dimension at 1008. The key slot 1004 can be formed in the plate1002 by stamping, cutting or any other suitable technique. The plate1002 can be formed by extrusion, pultrusion, by roll forming, stampingor by any other suitable technique.

The lateral dimension “A” of the key slot 1004 at 1008 (the widerportion) is chosen so that it is larger than the effective diameter ordimension of the end 50 of the panel anchor member 24; i.e., thedimension “A” at 1008 is greater than the width of the leg members 44,48 (FIG. 5). The lateral dimension “B” of the key slot 1004 at 1006 (thenarrower portion) is chosen so that it is equal to or wider than thewidth of the leg members 44, 45 at the notch 52 (FIG. 5) but narrowerthan the width of the leg members 44, 48.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 37, the brick tie 1000 can be placed overthe end 50 of the panel anchor member 24 such that the end of the panelanchor member fits through the wider portion 1008 of the key slot 1004.Then, the brick tie 1000 can be slid downwardly (FIG. 37) so that theend 50 of the panel anchor member 24 is positioned in the narrowerportion 1006 of the key slot 1004 and the sides of the key slot fit inthe notch 52 in the panel anchor member. When the end 50 of the panelanchor member 24 is in the narrower portion 1006 of the key slot 1004(FIG. 37), the brick tie 1000 is locked in place and cannot be removedfrom the end of the panel anchor member (longitudinally with respect tothe panel anchor member). The brick tie 1000 further includes a hollowsleeve 1010 attached to the plate 1002 at the upper lateral edge of theplate adjacent the narrower portion 1006 of the key slot 1004. Theopposite ends (not shown) of a wire loop 1012 are disposed in the hollowsleeve 1010 so that the wire loop is pivotably attached to the plate1002.

FIG. 38 shows a plurality of brick ties 1000, 1000′, 1000″ attached to aplurality of panel anchor members, as described above, such that thewire loop 1012′ can be embedded in mortar between adjacent rows ofbrick, such as the bricks 1014, 1016. Thus, the brick wall 1018 isattached to the wire loop 1012′, which is attached to the plate 1002,which is attached to the panel anchor member 24, which is embedded inthe concrete 390 thereby providing a secure and stable attachment of thebrick wall to the concrete.

FIG. 39 shows a plurality of siding members 1100, 1102 attached to aplurality of identical key slot furring stud members 1104, 1104′, 1104″.The design of the key slot furring stud members 1104, 1104′, 1104″ isdisclosed in applicant's co-pending patent application Ser. No.13/247,133 filed Sep. 28, 2011 (the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety). The key slot furring stud members1104, 1104′, 1104″ are identical to the whalers 200-210, except that aflange 1106 extends outwardly from one of the side walls, such as theside wall 214, and parallel to the bottom member, such as the bottommember 216, of the key slot furring stud members, but made of lightergauge material. The key slot furring stud members 1104, 1104′, 1104″also include key slots (not shown) on the bottom member of the studmembers (identical to the key slot, such as the key slot 218, formed inthe bottom 216 of the U-shaped whalers 200-210 as shown in FIG. 2). Thekey slots in the U-shaped stud members 1104, 1104′, 1104″ allow thestuds to attach to the plurality of panel anchor members, such as thepanel anchor member 24, in the same manner as the whalers 200-210. Thatis, the end 50 of the panel anchor member 24 is inserted into the widerportion of the key slot in the U-shaped stud member 1104. The U-shapedstud member 1104 is then slid vertically downward so that the end 50 ofthe panel anchor member 24 is disposed in the narrower portion of thekey slot thereby locking the U-shaped stud member to the panel anchormember. Then siding members, such as the siding members 1100, 1102, areattached to the flange 1106 of the U-shaped stud members 1104, 1104′,1104″ by a suitable fastener, such as a screw (not shown). The sidingmembers 1100, 1102 are attached to the U-shaped stud members 1104,1104′, 1104″, which are attached to the panel anchor members, such asthe panel anchor member 24, which is embedded in the concrete 390thereby provides a secure and stable attachment of the siding members tothe concrete.

Instead of attaching the siding members 1100, 1102 to the U-shaped studmembers 1104, 1104′, 1104″, other types of wall cladding or decorativefinishes can be substituted for the siding members. For example,plywood, gypsum board, prefinished paneling or the like can be attachedto the U-shaped stud members 1104, 1104′, 1104″ instead of the sidingmembers 1100, 1102. Alternatively, if the U-shaped stud members 1104,1104′, 1104″ are not used, various decorative finishes can be applied tothe layer of reinforcing material 20, if used, or to the outer surface11 of the foam insulating panels, such as the foam insulating panel 12.For example, ceramic tile, stone, thin brick, stucco, limestone,granite, marble or the like can be applied to the exterior face of thefoam insulating panel 12.

After the concrete 390 has achieved a desired amount or degree of cure,an exterior non-structural (i.e., decorative) architectural layer (notshown) can be applied to the outer surface 11 of the foam insulatingpanel 12 and the layer of reinforcing material 20, if present. Theexterior architectural layer can be applied by any suitable means, suchas by spraying, hand troweling, dry casting, wet casting or by extrusionto the necessary thickness, depending on the material and the thicknessof the exterior decorative layer. The exterior architectural layer canbe made of conventional concrete, mortar, stucco, synthetic stucco,plaster or any other cementitious material, cementitious polymermodified material or polymer coatings. A particularly preferred exteriorarchitectural layer is a layer of polymer modified cementitiousmaterial, such as polymer modified concrete, polymer modified plaster orpolymer modified mortar, with decorative aggregate only partiallyembedded into the layer of polymer modified plaster. The decorativeaggregate particles can be any decorative and/or colorful stone,semi-precious stone, quartz, granite, basalt, marble, stone pebbles,glass or shells. The decorative aggregate particles can be made fromstone including, but not limited to, amethyst, azul bahia, azulmacaubas, foxite, glimmer, honey onyx, green onyx, sodalite, green jade,pink quartz, white quartz, and orange calcite. The decorative aggregateparticles can be made from crushed glass including, but not limited to,recycled clear glass, recycled mirror glass, recycled clear plate glass,recycled cobalt blue glass, recycled mixed plate glass, and recycledblack glass. The decorative aggregate particles can be made fromrecycled aggregate including, but not limited to, recycled amber,recycled concrete and recycled porcelain. The decorative aggregateparticles can be made from non-recycled glass including, but not limitedto, artificially colored glass, reflective glass, transparent glass,opaque glass, frosted glass and coated glass. The decorative aggregateparticles can be made from tumbled glass including, but not limited to,jelly bean and glass beads. Decorative aggregate can be obtained fromArim Inc., Teaneck, N.J., USA. The decorative aggregate particles can beany suitable size, but preferably are size #000 (passes mesh 16,retained on mesh 25) to size #3 (½ inch to % inch), more preferably size#00 (passes mesh 10, retained mesh 16) to size #2 (% inch to ¼ inch) andmost preferably size #00 (passes mesh 10, retained mesh 16) to size #1(¼ inch to % inch). The decorative aggregate particles preferably haveirregular, random shapes. However, for certain applications it may bedesirable for the aggregate particles to have uniform shapes, such asare obtained by tumbling the aggregate, for example jelly bean shaped orbead shaped. The decorative aggregate can be partially embedded in thelayer of polymer modified cementitious material by any suitable method,such as by broadcasting into the layer of polymer modified cementitiousmaterial followed by pushing the decorative aggregate particlespartially into the layer of polymer modified cementitious material byusing a roller. However, the layer of decorative aggregate is preferablyformed in the layer of polymer modified cementitious material by blowingdecorative aggregate particles into the layer of polymer modifiedcementitious material using compressed air. After blowing the decorativeaggregate particles into the layer of polymer modified cementitiousmaterial if additional embedment of the decorative aggregate particlesin the layer of polymer modified cementitious material is necessary, thedecorative aggregate particles can be pushed partially into the layer ofpolymer modified cementitious material by using a roller.

The exterior architectural layer can be sprayed or have an integratedcolor pigment and/or it can have any type of architectural texture orcolor finish. To provide greater flexural strength and impactresistance, a particularly preferred material for the exteriorarchitectural layer is polymer modified concrete, polymer modifiedcement plaster, polymer modified geopolymer or polymer modified mortar.Polymer modified concrete, cement plaster, geopolymer or mortar is knownin the art and comprises a conventional concrete, plaster, geopolymer ormortar mix to which a polymer is added in a polymer-to-cement ratio of0.1% to 50% by weight, preferably 0.1% to 25% by weight, more preferablyapproximately 1% to 25% by weight, most preferably approximately 5% toapproximately 20% by weight. Polymer modified concrete can be made usingthe polymer amounts shown above in any of the concrete formulationsshown below. Polymers suitable for addition to concrete, plaster ormortar mixes come in many different types: thermoplastic polymers,thermosetting polymers, elastomeric polymers, latex polymers andredispersible polymer powders. A preferred thermoplastic polymer is anacrylic polymer. Latex polymers can be classified as thermoplasticpolymers or elastomeric polymers. Latex thermoplastic polymers include,but are not limited to, poly(styrene-butyl acrylate); vinyl acetate-typecopolymers; e.g., poly(ethyl-vinyl acetate) (EVA); polyacrylic ester(PAE); polyvinyl acetate (PVAC); and polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC).Latex elastomeric polymers include, but are not limited to,styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR); nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR); naturalrubber (NR); polychloroprene rubber (CR) or Neoprene; polyvinyl alcohol;and methyl cellulose. Redispersible polymer powders can also beclassified as thermoplastic polymers or elastomeric polymers.Redispersible thermoplastic polymer powders include, but are not limitedto, polyacrylic ester (PAE); e.g., poly(methyl methacrylate-butylacrylate); poly(styrene-acrylic ester) (SAE); poly(vinyl acetate-vinylversatate) (VA/VeoVa); and poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) (EVA).Redispersible elastomeric polymer powders include, but are not limitedto, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). Preferred polymers for modifying theconcrete, plaster or mortar mixes of the present invention arepolycarboxylates. Geopolymers are generally formed by reaction of analuminosilicate powder with an alkaline silicate solution at roughlyambient conditions. Metakaolin is a commonly used starting material forsynthesis of geopolymers, and is generated by thermal activation ofkaolinite clay. Geopolymers can also be made from sources of pozzolanicmaterials, such as lava, fly ash from coal, slag, rice husk ash andcombinations thereof.

It is specifically contemplated that the cementitious-based materialfrom which the exterior architectural layer is made can includereinforcing fibers made from material including, but not limited to,steel, plastic polymers, glass, basalt, Wollastonite, carbon, and thelike. The use of reinforcing fiber in the exterior architectural layermade from polymer modified concrete, polymer modified mortar or polymermodified plaster provide the layer of cementitous material with improvedflexural strength, as well as improved impact resistance and blastresistance.

Wollastonite can be used in the exterior architectural layer to increasecompressive and flexural strength as well as impact resistance. Also,Wollastonite can improve resistance to heat transmission and add fireresistance to the exterior plaster. Therefore, the exteriorarchitectural layer can obtain fire resistance properties as well asimproved energy efficiency properties. A fire resistant material overthe exterior face of the foam can increase the fire rating of the wallassembly by delaying the melting of the foam. Increased resistance toheat transmission will also increase the building energy efficiency andtherefore lower energy cost, such as heating and cooling expenses.

Before the hybrid insulated concrete form 10 is set in place on theconcrete slab 68, an elongate L-shaped angle (not shown) is anchored tothe concrete slab, such as by shooting a nail through the L-shapedbracket into the concrete slab. The L-shaped angle extends the fullwidth of the exterior foam insulating panels 12, 16; e.g., 4 feet wideor more to span multiple foam insulated panels. The L-shaped angle ispositioned on the concrete slab 68 so that when the outer surface 11 (orthe layer of reinforcing material 20, 22, if present) of the exteriorfoam insulating panels 12, 16 are placed against the L-shaped angle, theouter surfaces (or the layer of reinforcing material 20, 22, if present)of the exterior foam insulating panels are flush with the concrete slab68.

After the hybrid insulated concrete form 10 has been installed on theconcrete slab 68, as shown in FIG. 1, the joint plate 802 is placed overthe joint 840 between the foam insulating panels 12, 16; the whalers200-210 are attached to the panel anchor members, such as the panelanchor member 24; and the strongbacks 224, 226 are attached to thewhalers with clips (not shown) in a manner well known in the art. Aparticular advantage of the present invention over prior art insulatedconcrete forms is that vertical and horizontal rebar can now beinstalled on the ends 38, such in the U-shaped cutout 60 of the panelanchor members, such as the panel anchor member 24. Since the hybridinsulated concrete form 10 is open at this point, unfettered access isprovided to the interior of the form to construct any needed verticaland horizontal rebar reinforcement. After the rebar reinforcement isbuilt, the conventional removable concrete forms 14, 18 are erectedspaced from the foam insulating panel 12, 16. The second elongateconnecting rods, such as the second elongate rod 244, is insertedthrough the strongbacks, such as the strongback 224, and through thefoam insulating panel, such as the foam insulating panel 12. This isdone at all four corners, such as shown in FIG. 1. Then, the threadedsleeves, such as the threaded sleeves 242, 254, are placed on the secondelongate rods, such as the second elongate rods 244, 258. The hybridinsulated concrete form 10 is then closed by erecting the conventionalremovable concrete forms, such as the concrete forms 14, 18,horizontally spaced from the foam insulating panels 12, 16. The firstelongate connecting rods, such as the first elongate rods 236, 256 areinserted through the conventional removable concrete forms, such as theconventional removable concrete forms 14, 18, and screwed into thecorresponding threaded sleeves, such as the threaded sleeves 242, 254.The knee brace/turnbuckle 382 is attached to the frame 106 of theconventional removable concrete form 14, such as by attachment to thebracing member 130, and the bracket 386 is anchored to the concrete slab68 by nails or screws. The knee brace/turnbuckle 382 is adjustedappropriately to true the conventional removable concrete form 14 tovertical. Then, the first and second rods, such as the first and secondrods 236, 256 and 244, 258 are tightened into the elongate sleeves, suchas the sleeves 242, 254, thereby bringing the strongbacks 224, 226 totrue vertical as well as the whalers 200-210. With the conventionalremovable concrete forms 14, 18 and the foam insulating panels 12, 16 intrue vertical alignment, plastic concrete is placed in the concretereceiving space 17. The concrete 390 is left in the hybrid insulatedconcrete form 10 for a sufficient time to at least partially cure. Whenthe concrete 390 has achieved the desired degree of cure, theconventional removable concrete forms 14, 18 are removed and thestrongbacks 224, 226 and the whalers 200-210 are removed from the foaminsulating panels 12, 16. This leaves an insulated concrete wall, asshown in FIG. 10.

While the present invention can be used with conventional concretemixes; i.e., concrete in which portland cement is the only cementitiousmaterial used in the concrete, it is preferred as a part of the presentinvention to use the concrete, plaster or mortar mixes disclosed inapplicant's co-pending provisional patent application Ser. No.61/588,467 filed Nov. 11, 2011, a the patent application entitled“Concrete Mix Composition, Mortar Mix Composition and Method of Makingand Curing Concrete or Mortar and Concrete or Mortar Objects andStructures,” Ser. No. 13/626,540 filed Sep. 25, 2012 (the disclosure ofwhich are both incorporated herein by reference in their entirety).Concrete is a composite material consisting of a mineral-based hydraulicbinder which acts to adhere mineral particulates together in a solidmass; those particulates may consist of coarse aggregate (rock orgravel), fine aggregate (natural sand or crushed fines), and/orunhydrated or unreacted cement. Specifically, the concrete mix inaccordance with the present invention comprises cementitious material,aggregate and water sufficient to at least partially hydrate thecementitious material. The amount of cementitious material used relativeto the total weight of the concrete varies depending on the applicationand/or the strength of the concrete desired. Generally speaking,however, the cementitious material comprises approximately 25% toapproximately 40% by weight of the total weight of the concrete,exclusive of the water, or 300 lbs/yd³ of concrete (177 kg/m³) to 1,100lbs/yd³ of concrete (650 kg/m³) of concrete. The water-to-cementitiousmaterial ratio by weight is usually approximately 0.25 to approximately0.7. Relatively low water-to-cementitious material ratios lead to higherstrength but lower workability, while relatively highwater-to-cementitious material ratios lead to lower strength, but betterworkability. Aggregate usually comprises 60% to 80% by volume of theconcrete. However, the relative amount of cementitious material toaggregate to water is not a critical feature of the present invention;conventional amounts can be used. Nevertheless, sufficient cementitiousmaterial should be used to produce concrete with an ultimate compressivestrength of at least 1,000 psi, preferably at least 2,000 psi, morepreferably at least 3,000 psi, most preferably at least 4,000 psi,especially up to about 10,000 psi or more.

The aggregate used in the concrete used with the present invention isnot critical and can be any aggregate typically used in concreteincluding, but not limited to, aggregate meeting the requirements ofASTM C33. The aggregate that is used in the concrete depends on theapplication and/or the strength of the concrete desired. Such aggregateincludes, but is not limited to, fine aggregate, medium aggregate,coarse aggregate, sand, gravel, crushed stone, lightweight aggregate,recycled aggregate, such as from construction, demolition and excavationwaste, and mixtures and combinations thereof.

The preferred cementitious material for use with the present inventioncomprises Portland cement; preferably Portland cement and one of slagcement or fly ash; and more preferably Portland cement, slag cement andfly ash. Slag cement is also known as ground granulated blast-furnaceslag (GGBFS). The cementitious material preferably comprises a reducedamount of Portland cement and increased amounts of recycledsupplementary cementitious materials; i.e., slag cement and/or fly ash.This results in cementitious material and concrete that is moreenvironmentally friendly. One or more cementitious materials other thanslag cement or fly ash can also replace the Portland cement, in whole orin part. Such other cementitious or pozzolanic materials include, butare not limited to, silica fume; metakaolin; rice hull (or rice husk)ash; ground burnt clay bricks; brick dust; bone ash; animal blood; clay;other siliceous, aluminous or aluminosiliceous materials that react withcalcium hydroxide in the presence of water; hydroxide-containingcompounds, such as sodium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, or any othercompound having reactive hydrogen groups, other hydraulic cements andother pozzolanic materials. The portland cement can also be replaced, inwhole or in part, by one or more inert or filler materials other thanPortland cement, slag cement or fly ash. Such other inert or fillermaterials include, but are not limited to limestone powder; calciumcarbonate; titanium dioxide; quartz; or other finely divided mineralsthat densify the hydrated cement paste.

The preferred cementitious material for use with a disclosed embodimentof the present invention comprises 0% to approximately 100% by weightportland cement; preferably, 0% to approximately 80% by weight portlandcement. The ranges of 0% to approximately 100% by weight portland cementand 0% to approximately 80% by weight portland cement include all of theintermediate percentages; such as, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%,40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90% and 95%. Thecementitious material of the present invention can also comprise 0% toapproximately 90% by weight portland cement, preferably 0% toapproximately 80% by weight portland cement, preferably 0% toapproximately 70% by weight portland cement, more preferably 0% toapproximately 60% by weight portland cement, most preferably 0% toapproximately 50% by weight portland cement, especially 0% toapproximately 40% by weight portland cement, more especially 0% toapproximately 30% by weight portland cement, most especially 0% toapproximately 20% by weight portland cement, or 0% to approximately 10%by weight portland cement. In one disclosed embodiment, the cementitiousmaterial comprises approximately 10% to approximately 45% by weightportland cement, more preferably approximately 10% to approximately 40%by weight portland cement, most preferably approximately 10% toapproximately 35% by weight portland cement, especially approximately33⅓% by weight portland cement, most especially approximately 10% toapproximately 30% by weight portland cement. In another disclosedembodiment of the present invention, the cementitious material comprisesapproximately 5% by weight portland cement, approximately 10% by weightportland cement, approximately 15% by weight portland cement,approximately 20% by weight portland cement, approximately 25% by weightportland cement, approximately 30% by weight portland cement,approximately 35% by weight portland cement, approximately 40% by weightportland cement, approximately 45% by weight portland cement orapproximately 50% by weight portland cement or any sub-combinationthereof.

The preferred cementitious material for use in one disclosed embodimentof the present invention also comprises 0% to approximately 90% byweight slag cement, preferably approximately 20% to approximately 90% byweight slag cement, more preferably approximately 30% to approximately80% by weight slag cement, most preferably approximately 30% toapproximately 70% by weight slag cement, especially approximately 30% toapproximately 60% by weight slag cement, more especially approximately30% to approximately 50% by weight slag cement, most especiallyapproximately 30% to approximately 40% by weight slag cement. In anotherdisclosed embodiment the cementitious material comprises approximately33⅓% by weight slag cement. In another disclosed embodiment of thepresent invention, the cementitious material can comprise approximately5% by weight slag cement, approximately 10% by weight slag cement,approximately 15% by weight slag cement, approximately 20% by weightslag cement, approximately 25% by weight slag cement, approximately 30%by weight slag cement, approximately 35% by weight slag cement,approximately 40% by weight slag cement, approximately 45% by weightslag cement, approximately 50% by weight slag cement, approximately 55%by weight slag cement, approximately 60% by weight slag cement,approximately 65%, approximately 70% by weight slag cement,approximately 75% by weight slag cement, approximately 80% by weightslag cement, approximately 85% by weight slag cement or approximately90% by weight slag cement or any sub-combination thereof.

The preferred cementitious material for use in one disclosed embodimentof the present invention comprises 0% to approximately 50% by weight flyash; preferably approximately 10% to approximately 45% by weight flyash, more preferably approximately 10% to approximately 40% by weightfly ash, most preferably approximately 10% to approximately 35% byweight fly ash, especially approximately 33⅓% by weight fly ash. Inanother disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the preferredcementitious material comprises 0% by weight fly ash, approximately 5%by weight fly ash, approximately 10% by weight fly ash, approximately15% by weight fly ash, approximately 20% by weight fly ash,approximately 25% by weight fly ash, approximately 30% by weight flyash, approximately 35% by weight fly ash, approximately 40% by weightfly ash, approximately 45% by weight fly ash or approximately 50% byweight fly ash or any sub-combination thereof. Preferably the fly ashhas an average particle size of <10 μm; more preferably 90% or more ofthe particles have a particles size of <10 μm.

The preferred cementitious material for use in one disclosed embodimentof the present invention comprises 0% to approximately 80% by weight flyash, preferably approximately 10% to approximately 75% by weight flyash, preferably approximately 10% to approximately 70% by weight flyash, preferably approximately 10% to approximately 65% by weight flyash, preferably approximately 10% to approximately 60% by weight flyash, preferably approximately 10% to approximately 55% by weight flyash, preferably approximately 10% to approximately 50% by weight flyash, preferably approximately 10% to approximately 45% by weight flyash, more preferably approximately 10% to approximately 40% by weightfly ash, most preferably approximately 10% to approximately 35% byweight fly ash, especially approximately 33⅓% by weight fly ash. Inanother disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the preferredcementitious material comprises 0% by weight fly ash, approximately 5%by weight fly ash, approximately 10% by weight fly ash, approximately15% by weight fly ash, approximately 20% by weight fly ash,approximately 25% by weight fly ash, approximately 30% by weight flyash, approximately 35% by weight fly ash, approximately 40% by weightfly ash, approximately 45% by weight fly ash or approximately 50% byweight fly ash, approximately 55% by weight fly ash, approximately 60%by weight fly ash, approximately 65% by weight fly ash, approximately70% by weight fly ash or approximately 75% by weight fly ash,approximately 80% by weight fly ash or any sub-combination thereof.Preferably the fly ash has an average particle size of <10 μm; morepreferably 90% or more of the particles have a particles size of <10 μm.

In one disclosed embodiment, the preferred cementitious material for usewith the present invention comprises approximately equal parts by weightof portland cement, slag cement and fly ash; i.e., approximately 33⅓% byweight portland cement, approximately 33⅓% by weight slag cement andapproximately 33⅓% by weight fly ash. In another disclosed embodiment, apreferred cementitious material for use with the present invention has aweight ratio of portland cement to slag cement to fly ash of 1:1:1. Inanother disclosed embodiment, the preferred cementitious material foruse with the present invention has a weight ratio of portland cement toslag cement to fly ash of approximately 0.85-1.15:0.85-1.15:0.85-1.15,preferably approximately 0.9-1.1:0.9-1.1:0.9-1.1, more preferablyapproximately 0.95-1.05:0.95-1.05:0.95-1.05.

The cementitious material disclosed above can also optionally include 0%to approximately 50% by weight ceramic fibers, preferably 0% to 40% byweight ceramic fibers, more preferably 0% to 30% by weight ceramicfibers, most preferably 0% to 20% by weight ceramic fibers, especially0% to 15% by weight ceramic fibers, more especially 0% to 10% by weightceramic fibers, most especially 0% to 5% by weight ceramic fibers. Apreferred ceramic fiber is Wollastonite. Wollastonite is a calciuminosilicate mineral (CaSiO₃) that may contain small amounts of iron,magnesium, and manganese substituted for calcium. In addition thecementitious material can optionally include 0.1-25% calcium oxide(quick lime), calcium hydroxide (hydrated lime), calcium carbonate orlatex or polymer admixtures, either mineral or synthetic, that havereactive hydroxyl groups.

In one disclosed embodiment, the cementitious material for use with thepresent invention comprises 0% to approximately 100% by weight portlandcement, 0% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement, and 0% toapproximately 80% by weight fly ash. In one disclosed embodiment, thecementitious material for use with the present invention comprises 0% toapproximately 80% by weight portland cement, 0% to approximately 90% byweight slag cement, and 0% to approximately 80% by weight fly ash. Inanother disclosed embodiment, the cementitious material for use with thepresent invention comprises 0% to approximately 70% by weight portlandcement, 0% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement, and 0% toapproximately 80% by weight fly ash. In another disclosed embodiment,the cementitious material for use with the present invention comprises0% to approximately 60% by weight portland cement, 0% to approximately90% by weight slag cement, and 0% to approximately 80% by weight flyash. In another disclosed embodiment, the cementitious material for usewith the present invention comprises 0% to approximately 50% by weightportland cement, 0% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement, and 0%to approximately 80% by weight fly ash. In another disclosed embodiment,the cementitious material for use with the present invention comprisesless than 50% by weight portland cement, 10% to approximately 90% byweight slag cement, and 10% to approximately 80% by weight fly ash. Inanother disclosed embodiment, the cementitious material for use with thepresent invention comprises approximately 10% to approximately 45% byweight portland cement, approximately 10% to approximately 90% by weightslag cement, and 10% to approximately 80% by weight fly ash. In anotherdisclosed embodiment, the cementitious material for use with the presentinvention comprises approximately 10% to approximately 40% by weightportland cement, approximately 10% to approximately 90% by weight slagcement, and 10% to approximately 80% by weight fly ash. In anotherdisclosed embodiment, the cementitious material for use with the presentinvention comprises approximately 10% to approximately 35% by weightportland cement, approximately 10% to approximately 90% by weight slagcement, and 10% to approximately 80% by weight fly ash.

In another disclosed embodiment, the cementitious material for use withthe present invention comprises 0% to approximately 100% by weightportland cement; 0% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement; 0% toapproximately 80% by weight fly ash; 0% to 10% by weight ceramic fiber;and 0% to approximately 25% by weight calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide,latex, acrylic, or polymer admixtures, either mineral or synthetic, thathave reactive hydroxyl groups, or mixtures thereof. In one disclosedembodiment, the cementitious material for use with the present inventioncomprises 0% to approximately 80% by weight portland cement; 0% toapproximately 90% by weight slag cement; 0% to approximately 80% byweight fly ash; 0% to approximately 20% by weight ceramic fiber; and 0%to approximately 25% by weight calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, orlatex or polymer admixtures, either mineral or synthetic, that havereactive hydroxyl groups, or mixtures thereof. In another disclosedembodiment, the cementitious material for use with the present inventioncomprises 0% to approximately 70% by weight portland cement; 0% toapproximately 90% by weight slag cement; 0% to approximately 80% byweight fly ash; 0% to approximately 10% by weight ceramic fiber; and 0%to approximately 25% by weight calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, orlatex or polymer admixtures, either mineral or synthetic, that havereactive hydroxyl groups, or mixtures thereof. In another disclosedembodiment, the cementitious material for use with the present inventioncomprises 0% to approximately 60% by weight portland cement; 0% toapproximately 90% by weight slag cement; 0% to approximately 80% byweight fly ash; 0% to approximately 10% by weight ceramic fiber; and 0%to approximately 25% by weight calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, orlatex or polymer admixtures, either mineral or synthetic, that havereactive hydroxyl groups, or mixtures thereof. In another disclosedembodiment, the cementitious material for use with the present inventioncomprises 0% to approximately 50% by weight portland cement; 0% toapproximately 90% by weight slag cement; 0% to approximately 80% byweight fly ash; 0% to approximately 10% by weight ceramic fiber; and 0%to approximately 25% by weight calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, orlatex or polymer admixtures, either mineral or synthetic, that havereactive hydroxyl groups, or mixtures thereof. In another disclosedembodiment, the cementitious material for use with the present inventioncomprises less than 50% by weight portland cement; 10% to approximately90% by weight slag cement; 10% to approximately 80% by weight fly ash;0% to approximately 10% by weight ceramic fiber; and 0% to approximately25% by weight calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, or latex or polymeradmixtures, either mineral or synthetic, that have reactive hydroxylgroups, or mixtures thereof. In another disclosed embodiment, thecementitious material for use with the present invention comprisesapproximately 10% to approximately 45% by weight portland cement;approximately 10% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement; 10% toapproximately 80% by weight fly ash; 0% to approximately 10% by weightceramic fiber; and 0% to approximately 25% by weight calcium oxide,calcium hydroxide, or latex or polymer admixtures, either mineral orsynthetic, that have reactive hydroxyl groups, or mixtures thereof. Inanother disclosed embodiment, the cementitious material for use with thepresent invention comprises approximately 10% to approximately 40% byweight portland cement; approximately 10% to approximately 90% by weightslag cement; 10% to approximately 80% by weight fly ash; 0% toapproximately 10% by weight ceramic fiber; and 0% to approximately 25%by weight calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, or latex or polymeradmixtures, either mineral or synthetic, that have reactive hydroxylgroups, or mixtures thereof. In another disclosed embodiment, thecementitious material for use with the present invention comprisesapproximately 10% to approximately 35% by weight portland cement;approximately 10% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement; 10% toapproximately 80% by weight fly ash; 0% to approximately 10% by weightceramic fiber; and 0% to approximately 25% by weight calcium oxide,calcium hydroxide, or latex or polymer admixtures, either mineral orsynthetic, that have reactive hydroxyl groups, or mixtures thereof.

In another disclosed embodiment, the cementitious material for use withthe present invention comprises 0% to approximately 100% by weightportland cement; 0% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement; 0% toapproximately 80% by weight fly ash; and 0.1% to 15% by weight ceramicfiber. In one disclosed embodiment, the cementitious material for usewith the present invention comprises 0% to approximately 80% by weightportland cement; 0% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement; 0% toapproximately 80% by weight fly ash; and 0.1% to approximately 15% byweight ceramic fiber. In another disclosed embodiment, the cementitiousmaterial for use with the present invention comprises 0% toapproximately 70% by weight portland cement; 0% to approximately 90% byweight slag cement; 0% to approximately 80% by weight fly ash; and 0.1%to approximately 10% by weight ceramic fiber. In another disclosedembodiment, the cementitious material for use with the present inventioncomprises 0% to approximately 60% by weight portland cement; 0% toapproximately 90% by weight slag cement; 0% to approximately 80% byweight fly ash; and 0.1% to approximately 10% by weight ceramic fiber.In another disclosed embodiment, the cementitious material for use withthe present invention comprises 0% to approximately 50% by weightportland cement; 0% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement; 0% toapproximately 80% by weight fly ash; and 0.1% to approximately 10% byweight ceramic fiber. In another disclosed embodiment, the cementitiousmaterial for use with the present invention comprises less than 50% byweight portland cement; 10% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement;10% to approximately 80% by weight fly ash; and 0.1% to approximately10% by weight ceramic fiber. In another disclosed embodiment, thecementitious material for use with the present invention comprisesapproximately 10% to approximately 45% by weight portland cement;approximately 10% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement; 10% toapproximately 80% by weight fly ash; and 0.1% to approximately 10% byweight ceramic fiber. In another disclosed embodiment, the cementitiousmaterial for use with the present invention comprises approximately 10%to approximately 40% by weight portland cement; approximately 10% toapproximately 90% by weight slag cement; 10% to approximately 80% byweight fly ash; and 0.1% to approximately 10% by weight ceramic fiber.In another disclosed embodiment, the cementitious material for use withthe present invention comprises approximately 10% to approximately 35%by weight portland cement; approximately 10% to approximately 90% byweight slag cement; 10% to approximately 80% by weight fly ash; and 0.1%to approximately 10% by weight ceramic fiber.

In another disclosed embodiment, the cementitious material for use withthe present invention comprises 0% to approximately 100% by weightportland cement; 0% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement; 0% toapproximately 80% by weight fly ash; 0% to 30% by weight Wollastonite;and 0% to approximately 25% by weight calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide,latex, acrylic or polymer admixtures, either mineral or synthetic, thathave reactive hydroxyl groups, or mixtures thereof. In one disclosedembodiment, the cementitious material for use with the present inventioncomprises 0% to approximately 80% by weight portland cement; 0% toapproximately 90% by weight slag cement; 0% to approximately 80% byweight fly ash; 0% to approximately 30% by weight Wollastonite; and 0%to approximately 25% by weight calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, orlatex or polymer admixtures, either mineral or synthetic, that havereactive hydroxyl groups, or mixtures thereof. In another disclosedembodiment, the cementitious material for use with the present inventioncomprises 0% to approximately 70% by weight portland cement; 0% toapproximately 90% by weight slag cement; 0% to approximately 80% byweight fly ash; 0% to approximately 30% by weight Wollastonite; and 0%to approximately 25% by weight calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, orlatex or polymer admixtures, either mineral or synthetic, that havereactive hydroxyl groups, or mixtures thereof. In another disclosedembodiment, the cementitious material for use with the present inventioncomprises 0% to approximately 60% by weight portland cement; 0% toapproximately 90% by weight slag cement; 0% to approximately 80% byweight fly ash; 0% to approximately 30% by weight Wollastonite; and 0%to approximately 25% by weight calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, orlatex or polymer admixtures, either mineral or synthetic, that havereactive hydroxyl groups, or mixtures thereof. In another disclosedembodiment, the cementitious material for use with the present inventioncomprises 0% to approximately 50% by weight portland cement; 0% toapproximately 90% by weight slag cement; 0% to approximately 80% byweight fly ash; 0% to approximately 30% by weight Wollastonite; and 0%to approximately 25% by weight calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, orlatex or polymer admixtures, either mineral or synthetic, that havereactive hydroxyl groups, or mixtures thereof. In another disclosedembodiment, the cementitious material for use with the present inventioncomprises less than 50% by weight portland cement; 10% to approximately90% by weight slag cement; 10% to approximately 80% by weight fly ash;0% to approximately 30% by weight Wollastonite; and 0% to approximately25% by weight calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, or latex or polymeradmixtures, either mineral or synthetic, that have reactive hydroxylgroups, or mixtures thereof. In another disclosed embodiment, thecementitious material for use with the present invention comprisesapproximately 10% to approximately 45% by weight portland cement;approximately 10% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement; 10% toapproximately 80% by weight fly ash; 0% to approximately 30% by weightWollastonite; and 0% to approximately 25% by weight calcium oxide,calcium hydroxide, or latex or polymer admixtures, either mineral orsynthetic, that have reactive hydroxyl groups, or mixtures thereof. Inanother disclosed embodiment, the cementitious material for use with thepresent invention comprises approximately 10% to approximately 40% byweight portland cement; approximately 10% to approximately 90% by weightslag cement; 10% to approximately 80% by weight fly ash; 0% toapproximately 30% by weight Wollastonite; and 0% to approximately 25% byweight calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, or latex or polymer admixtures,either mineral or synthetic, that have reactive hydroxyl groups, ormixtures thereof. In another disclosed embodiment, the cementitiousmaterial for use with the present invention comprises approximately 10%to approximately 35% by weight portland cement; approximately 10% toapproximately 90% by weight slag cement; 10% to approximately 80% byweight fly ash; 0% to approximately 30% by weight Wollastonite; and 0%to approximately 25% by weight calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, orlatex or polymer admixtures, either mineral or synthetic, that havereactive hydroxyl groups, or mixtures thereof.

In another disclosed embodiment, the cementitious material for use withthe present invention comprises 0% to approximately 100% by weightportland cement; 0% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement; 0% toapproximately 80% by weight fly ash; and 0.1% to 30% by weightWollastonite. In one disclosed embodiment, the cementitious material foruse with the present invention comprises 0% to approximately 80% byweight portland cement; 0% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement;0% to approximately 80% by weight fly ash; and 0.1% to approximately 30%by weight Wollastonite. In another disclosed embodiment, thecementitious material for use with the present invention comprises 0% toapproximately 70% by weight portland cement; 0% to approximately 90% byweight slag cement; 0% to approximately 80% by weight fly ash; and 0.1%to approximately 30% by weight Wollastonite. In another disclosedembodiment, the cementitious material for use with the present inventioncomprises 0% to approximately 60% by weight portland cement; 0% toapproximately 90% by weight slag cement; 0% to approximately 80% byweight fly ash; and 0.1% to approximately 30% by weight Wollastonite. Inanother disclosed embodiment, the cementitious material for use with thepresent invention comprises 0% to approximately 50% by weight portlandcement; 0% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement; 0% toapproximately 80% by weight fly ash; and 0.1% to approximately 30% byweight Wollastonite. In another disclosed embodiment, the cementitiousmaterial for use with the present invention comprises less than 50% byweight portland cement; 10% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement;10% to approximately 80% by weight fly ash; and 0.1% to approximately30% by weight Wollastonite. In another disclosed embodiment, thecementitious material for use with the present invention comprisesapproximately 10% to approximately 45% by weight portland cement;approximately 10% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement; 10% toapproximately 80% by weight fly ash; and 0.1% to approximately 30% byweight Wollastonite. In another disclosed embodiment, the cementitiousmaterial for use with the present invention comprises approximately 10%to approximately 40% by weight portland cement; approximately 10% toapproximately 90% by weight slag cement; 10% to approximately 80% byweight fly ash; and 0.1% to approximately 30% by weight Wollastonite. Inanother disclosed embodiment, the cementitious material for use with thepresent invention comprises approximately 10% to approximately 35% byweight portland cement; approximately 10% to approximately 90% by weightslag cement; 10% to approximately 80% by weight fly ash; and 0.1% toapproximately 30% by weight Wollastonite.

In another disclosed embodiment, the cementitious material for use withthe present invention comprises 0% to approximately 100% by weightportland cement; 0% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement; 0% toapproximately 80% by weight fly ash, wherein the combination of portlandcement, slag cement and fly ash comprise at least 50% by weight; and0.1% to approximately 50% by weight polymer for making polymer modifiedconcrete, mortar or plaster. In another disclosed embodiment, thecementitious material for use with the present invention comprisesapproximately 10% to approximately 45% by weight portland cement;approximately 10% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement; 10% toapproximately 80% by weight fly ash; and 0.1% to approximately 50% byweight polymer for making polymer modified concrete, mortar or plaster.

In another disclosed embodiment, the cementitious material for use withthe present invention comprises 0% to approximately 100% by weightportland cement; 0% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement; 0% toapproximately 80% by weight fly ash, wherein the combination of portlandcement, slag cement and fly ash comprise at least 50% by weight; and0.1% to approximately 50% by weight ceramic fiber. In another disclosedembodiment, the cementitious material for use with the present inventioncomprises approximately 10% to approximately 45% by weight portlandcement; approximately 10% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement;10% to approximately 80% by weight fly ash; and 0.1% to approximately50% by weight ceramic fiber.

In another disclosed embodiment, the cementitious material for use withthe present invention comprises 0% to approximately 100% by weightportland cement; 0% to approximately 90% by weight slag cement; 0% toapproximately 80% by weight fly ash, wherein the combination of portlandcement, slag cement and fly ash comprise at least 50% by weight; 0.1% toapproximately 50% by weight ceramic fiber and 0.1% to approximately 50%by weight polymer for making polymer modified concrete, mortar orplaster. In another disclosed embodiment, the cementitious material foruse with the present invention comprises approximately 10% toapproximately 45% by weight portland cement; approximately 10% toapproximately 90% by weight slag cement; 10% to approximately 80% byweight fly ash; and 0.1% to approximately 50% by weight ceramic fiberand 0.1% to approximately 50% by weight polymer for making polymermodified concrete, mortar or plaster.

The portland cement, slag cement and fly ash can be combined physicallyor mechanically in any suitable manner and is not a critical feature.For example, the portland cement, slag cement and fly ash can be mixedtogether to form a uniform blend of dry material prior to combining withthe aggregate and water. If dry polymer powder is used, it can becombined with the cementitious material and mixed together to form auniform blend prior to combining with the aggregate or water. If thepolymer is a liquid, it can be added to the cementitious material andcombined with the aggregate and water. Or, the portland cement, slagcement and fly ash can be added separately to a conventional concretemixer, such as the transit mixer of a ready-mix concrete truck, at abatch plant. The water and aggregate can be added to the mixer beforethe cementitious material, however, it is preferable to add thecementitious material first, the water second, the aggregate third andany makeup water last.

Chemical admixtures can also be used with the preferred concrete for usewith the present invention. Such chemical admixtures include, but arenot limited to, accelerators, retarders, air entrainments, plasticizers,superplasticizers, coloring pigments, corrosion inhibitors, bondingagents and pumping aid. Although chemical admixtures can be used withthe concrete of the present invention, it is believed that chemicaladmixtures are not necessary.

Mineral admixtures or additional supplementary cementitious material(“SCM”) can also be used with the concrete of the present invention.Such mineral admixtures include, but are not limited to, silica fume,glass powder and high reactivity metakaolin. Although mineral admixturescan be used with the concrete of the present invention, it is believedthat mineral admixtures are not necessary.

The concrete mix cured in a concrete form in which the temperature ofthe curing concrete is controlled in accordance with the presentinvention, especially controlled to follow a predetermined temperatureprofile, produces concrete with superior early strength and ultimatestrength properties compared to the same concrete mix cured in aconventional form without the use of any chemical additives toaccelerate or otherwise alter the curing process. Thus, in one disclosedembodiment of the present invention, the preferred cementitious materialcomprises at least two of portland cement, slag cement and fly ash inamounts such that at seven days the concrete mix cured in accordancewith the present invention has a compressive strength at least 25%greater than the same concrete mix would have after seven days in aconventional (i.e., non-insulated) concrete form under ambientconditions. In another disclosed embodiment, the preferred concrete mixcured in accordance with the present invention has a compressivestrength at least 50%, at least 100%, at least 150%, at least 200%, atleast 250% or at least 300% greater than the same concrete mix wouldhave after seven days in a conventional (i.e., non-insulated) concreteform under the same conditions.

In another disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the preferredcementitious material comprises portland cement, slag cement and fly ashin amounts such that at seven days the concrete mix cured in accordancewith the present invention has a compressive strength at least 25%greater than the same concrete mix would have after seven days in aconventional concrete form under ambient conditions. In anotherdisclosed embodiment the preferred concrete mix cured in accordance withthe present invention has a compressive strength at least 50%, at least100%, at least 150%, at least 200%, at least 250% or at least 300%greater than the same concrete mix would have after seven days in aconventional (i.e., non-insulated) concrete form under the sameconditions.

In another disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the preferredcementitious material comprises portland cement and slag cement inamounts such that at seven days the concrete mix cured in accordancewith the present invention has a compressive strength at least 25%greater than the same concrete mix would have after seven days in aconventional concrete form under ambient conditions. In anotherdisclosed embodiment, the preferred concrete mix cured in accordancewith the present invention has a compressive strength at least 50%, atleast 100%, at least 150%, at least 200%, at least 250% or at least 300%greater than the same concrete mix would have after seven days in aconventional (i.e., non-insulated) concrete form under the sameconditions.

In another disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the preferredcementitious material comprises portland cement and fly ash in amountssuch that at seven days the concrete mix cured in accordance with thepresent invention has a compressive strength at least 25% greater thanthe same concrete mix would have after seven days in a conventionalconcrete form under ambient conditions. In another disclosed embodimentthe preferred concrete mix cured in accordance with the presentinvention has a compressive strength at least 50%, at least 100%, atleast 150%, at least 200%, at least 250% or at least 300% greater thanthe same concrete mix would have after seven days in a conventional(i.e., non-insulated) concrete form under the same conditions.

As a part of the present invention, it has been found that concrete,mortar or other cementitious-based materials, especially polymermodified concrete, will bond quite securely with expanded polystyrenefoam that has not been formed in a mold so that the surface of the foamdoes not have a polished or shinny surface. Suitable polystyrene foamcan be obtained by cutting, such as with a knife blade, a saw or a hotwire, foam panels of a desired thickness from a larger block ofpolystyrene foam. The bond between the concrete, mortar or othercementitious-based materials and polystyrene foam is also enhanced byusing the concrete mix comprising portland cement, slag cement and flyash, as disclosed above. Furthermore, the bond between the concrete,mortar or other cementitious-based materials and polystyrene foam isalso enhanced by curing the concrete, mortar or other cementitious-basedmaterials in insulated concrete forms or molds, as disclosed herein.Additionally, the bond between the concrete, mortar or othercementitious-based materials and polystyrene foam is also enhanced bycuring the concrete, mortar or other cementitious-based materials atelevated temperatures, such as produced by the insulated concrete forms,electrically heated blankets, electrically heated concrete forms orsteam curing, for example above 100° F. (approximately 35° C.),preferably at approximately 60 to 65° C., for an extended period oftime, such as 1 day to 3 days; preferably, 1 day to 7 days. Under theseconditions, the concrete, mortar or other cementitious-based materialsand polystyrene foam seem to fuse together. Especially stronger bondsare formed between expanded polystyrene foam panels cut from a largermolded block. When cutting the expanded polystyrene foam panels, theindividual polystyrene cells are cut creating interstitial space. Incontact with and under the concrete pressure, the interstitial space isfilled with concrete at an elevated temperature. Since the expandedpolystyrene melting point is between 140-180° F., the concrete pressureand elevated temperature retained by the insulated concrete form,filling the interstitial space between the polystyrene cells, create atemperature induced fusion between the foam and the concrete. It isbelieved that the concrete heat of hydration retained by the insulatedconcrete form reaches a temperature close, but slightly below thepolystyrene melting point temperature, thereby creating a heat fusionand achieving a far greater bond between the foam and the concrete. Infact, the bond between the concrete, mortar or other cementitious-basedmaterials and polystyrene foam, as disclosed above, is so strong thatthe bond between individual polystyrene foam beads will fail before thebond between the concrete, mortar or other cementitious-based materialsand the polystyrene foam.

It is specifically contemplated that the cementitious-based materialfrom which the concrete 390 is made can include reinforcing fibers madefrom material including, but not limited to, steel, plastic polymers,glass, basalt, Wollastonite, carbon, and the like. The use ofreinforcing fiber is particularly preferred in the concrete 390 madefrom polymer modified concrete, mortar and plasters, which provide theconcrete wall in accordance with the present invention improved flexuralstrength, as well as improved wind load capability and blast and seismicresistance.

The concrete form system of the present invention provides a veryversatile building system. And, unlike the modular insulated concreteforms of the prior art, the concrete form system of the presentinvention provides a building system that can perform all of the sametasks as conventional steel and/or wood concrete form systems, includingbuilding high-rise buildings.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates only tocertain disclosed embodiments of the present invention and that numerousmodifications or alterations may be made therein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

1-17. (canceled)
 18. A method comprising: providing a removable concreteform panel; providing a foam insulating panel spaced from the removableconcrete form panel defining a concrete receiving space therebetweenwherein the foam insulating panel has a first primary surface and anopposite second primary surface; providing a plurality of anchor membersextending through the foam insulating panel and extending outwardly fromthe first primary surface into the concrete receiving space, whereby anend of each of the plurality of anchor members is disposed between thefoam insulating panel and the removable concrete form panel; providingan elongate panel bracing member supporting the foam insulating panel;placing a quantity of plastic concrete in the concrete receiving space;allowing the plastic concrete in the concrete receiving space to atleast partially cure; and removing the removable concrete form from theat least partially cured concrete.
 19. The method of claim 18 furthercomprising providing an elongate hollow sleeve disposed between theremovable concrete form panel and the foam insulating panel.
 20. Themethod of claim 19 further comprising: inserting a first rod through thefoam insulating panel and into the elongate hollow sleeve; and insertinga second rod through the removable concrete form panel and into theelongate hollow sleeve.
 21. The method of claim 20 further comprisingattaching an end of the first rod to the elongate panel bracing member.22. The method of claim 21 further comprising attaching an end of thesecond rod to a frame member associated with the removable concrete formpanel.
 23. The method of claim 18, wherein each of the plurality ofanchor members has a first end and an opposite second end and wherein aflange is disposed adjacent the first end and extends radially outwardlytherefrom and wherein the flange contacts the second primary surface ofthe foam insulating panel.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein each ofthe plurality of anchor members has an enlarged portion adjacent thesecond end disposed between the foam insulating panel and the removableconcrete form panel.
 25. The method of claim 23 further comprising alayer of reinforcing material on the second primary surface of the foaminsulating panel whereby at least a portion of the layer of reinforcingmaterial is captured between the flange of each of the plurality ofanchor members and the second primary surface of the foam insulatingpanel.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the layer of reinforcingmaterial is a discontinuous material.
 27. The method of claim 25,wherein the layer of reinforcing material is a fabric, a mesh or a web.28. The method of claim 27, wherein the fabric, mesh or web is made frompolymer fibers, fiberglass, basalt fibers, aramid fibers, or carbonfibers.
 29. The method of claim 25, wherein the layer of reinforcingmaterial is a fiberglass mesh.
 30. The method of claim 18, wherein theremovable concrete form panel is a removable insulated concrete formpanel.
 31. The method of claim 18, wherein the removable concrete formpanel is a removable electrically heated concrete form panel and themethod further comprises heating the removable electrically heatedconcrete form panel.
 32. The method of claim 18, wherein the removableconcrete form panel comprises: a face panel having a first primarysurface for contacting plastic concrete and a second primary surfaceopposite the first primary surface, wherein the face panel is made froma heat conducting material; and an electric heating element in thermalcontact with the second primary surface of the face panel.
 33. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the foam insulating panel has an R-value ofgreater than
 4. 34. The method of claim 32, wherein the removableinsulated concrete form panel has an R-value of greater than
 4. 35. Themethod of claim 30, wherein the removable insulated concrete form panelhas an R-value of greater than 4 and the foam insulating panel has anR-value of greater than
 4. 36. The method of claim 30, wherein theremovable insulated concrete form panel has an R-value of greater than 4and the foam insulating panel has an R-value of greater than 8.